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Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has described the personality at which Eddie Nketiah plays as ‘incredible’.

The forward of Ghanaian descent found the net as the Gunners ended their two-game losing streak in their 2-0 triumph over Southampton on Thursday.

20 minutes into the encounter, Alex McCarthy fetched a back pass which he gifted to Nketiah under pressure – with the 21-year-old tapping into an empty net.

In the process, he extended his fine goalscoring run this term netting six goals in his eleventh start of the season – with four of them coming for the Emirates Stadium giants, and two coming for Leeds United.

Substitute Joe Willock put the result beyond doubt with four minutes left to play after pouncing on another McCarthy blunder.

Speaking after the game, the Gunners’ boss expressed his delight with Nketiah who he feels made the biggest impression.

“Eddie, since I joined, the maturity and the personality that he plays every game with is incredible,” Arteta said during the post-match as reported by Arsenal website.

“I demand a lot of our forward players to put the opponent under pressure and they've done it. A lot of the goals we score are because of the errors that we force on the opponent.

“In that heat, to keep chasing players and putting them under pressure, sometimes it's not a really nice thing to do.

“But obviously when you get a goal from the mistakes they've made - which could have caused a few more goals - it's really important. It generates belief in what they do and it pays the price for the effort.

“I am happy with Eddie, the way he's played again today, but I'm happy in general with the team. I'm really happy with the subs, the way they came in and helped the team together with the result and the attitude that they showed.”

Thanks to this result, Arsenal climbed to ninth in the English elite division log with 43 points from 31 games. They travel to Sheffield United for Saturday’s FA Cup quarter-finals on Sunday.

After that, they host relegation-threatened Norwich City on Wednesday.

Liverpool captain Jordan Henderson paid tribute to Jurgen Klopp after the Reds clinched the Premier League title, saying the German “changed everything” when he arrived at the club in 2015.

Five years after arriving in England, Klopp has cemented his status as a legend of English football by delivering Liverpool their first title in 30 years.

One of the players most transformed during his tenure has been the former Sunderland midfielder Henderson, who has emerged as a Player of the Season contender this campaign.

Speaking immediately after Manchester City lost at Chelsea to hand Liverpool the title, Henderson struggled to find the words to describe his emotions.

"It is amazing,” Henderson told Sky Sports. “I didn't want to talk about it until this moment.

“I'm so happy for all the boys. I'm just a bit overwhelmed and it's an amazing feeling. I'm so proud of what we have achieved.”

Liverpool’s squad and some staff were able to watch the Manchester City game together, with scenes of their celebrations making for popular viewing on social media.

"There was a lot of emotion and it was a different experience watching the game, and then to be with everyone and all the staff at the final whistle,” Henderson added.

“It was a moment we will never forget. I'm just lost for words at the minute. It hasn't really sunk in, you never really think of this end moment, you are just concentrating on each game. When this moment comes, I cannot really describe it.

"After the Champions League final, I said it wouldn't be possible to win it without the manager, and that is no disrespect to the managers before him, but I felt from day one he came in the door he changed everything and we have all followed him.

“So far, it has been very special and I hope we can stay hungry and keep wanting more.

"What you see is what you get, with his press conferences and on the sidelines.

“Obviously, he has got more of a personal side with the players, but he has got a balance of having a relationship with the players and being a friend but also being a bit ruthless when he needs to be.

"He is a great leader and a great human being and we all believe in him. We have got an amazing group and that is down to the manager and how he has gelled them all together. It's not a coincidence and it's credit to him and all the staff."

Liverpool defender Andy Robertson is hoping a few beers could be enough to sway Jurgen Klopp to give the side a few days off after they wrapped up the Premier League title . 

After Manchester City lose 2-1 to Chelsea on Thursday , the Reds secured their first league title since 1990, having themselves smashed Crystal Palace 4-0 the day prior. 

With Liverpool's next game not until July 2 against Pep Guardiola's side, the squad are hoping to enjoy a few days of celebrating and Robertson is hopeful Klopp will grant them some time off with a bit of encouragement. 

"We're still trying to convince the boss downstairs to give us a few days off! Give him a couple more beers and I think we'll get two days off," Andy Robertson joked to  Match of the Day .

"We won’t tell you the exact location but we are all in a hotel together as a team. We thought something hopefully special was going to happen and that’s how it turned out.

"We went a bit crazy but the place went a bit silent when [Kevin] De Bruyne bagged a worldie free-kick. Luckily Chelsea reacted off that.

"The place went wild and we could sit back and enjoy the last five minutes."

Klopp was also nervously watching the City game and admitted afterwards he was overwhelmed to see his side end the club's considerable league drought. 

Reds veteran James Milner, meanwhile, stressed the title win was spurred on by the club falling short last season and declared they won't be looking to pull their punches next season either. 

"It shows the character in the squad to get so close last time and to go again. We have proven we are fuelled by disappointment and learning," Milner told Match of the Day . 

"I am sure the hunger will stay and we want to keep being successful. It is absolutely massive, to get over the line is huge."

Liverpool still have seven league games to play this season and would end the campaign with a Premier League records 107 points should they win every one of those matches.

Belgian club Genk have announced the permanent signing of Eboue Kouassi from Scottish Premiership champions Celtic.

The 22-year-old midfielder joined the Bhoys in January 2017 for a fee around £3 million from Russian Premier League side Krasnodar.

The Ivorian only made 22 appearances for Neil Lennon’s Celtic before he moved to the Belgian side on loan in January.

Kouassi only featured four times for Genk in the 2019-20 season owing to injury problem and the outbreak of the coronavirus which forced the Belgian First Division A to an abrupt conclusion.

On Thursday, the Blue-White heralded the permanent signing of the midfielder after agreeing to a four-year deal with the side, which will keep him at Luminus Arena until 2024. 

The Ivorian will permanently link up with Nigeria duo of Paul Onuachu and Stephen Odey and Ghana’s Joseph Paintsil.

Since his January move, the midfielder has played against Oostende, Club Brugge, Kortrijk and Sporting Charleroi.

Genk, who finished seventh in the 2019-20 season, will hope the addition of the midfielder will help them compete for the league title next season. 

Kouassi started his career in Ivory Coast, joining Academie Symbiose Foot d'Abobo in 2010 before moving to Shirak in 2014.

The midfielder later departed the Armenian club after a short spell to team up with the youth setup of Krasnodar and in 2016 he was promoted to the first team of the Russian side.  

On the international scene, Kouassi is yet to feature for Ivory Coast and will hope to impress with his Belgian club to boost his chances with the Elephants.

Jurgen Klopp and Pep Guardiola are “different class”, according to Frank Lampard – who says he thinks Manchester City play the best football of any team.

Lampard’s Chelsea team beat City 2-1 at Stamford Bridge to hand Liverpool their long-awaited maiden Premier League title on Thursday.

The Blues were deserved winners, leading through Christian Pulisic and winning the game through Willian’s penalty after Kevin De Bruyne had levelled the scores with a magical free-kick.

“It was tough,” Lampard told BT Sport.

“When you come up against a team of Manchester City’s quality – in individuals, in the way they’re coached – for me, they’re the best, in terms of the way they play football, so great to watch.

“Pep and Jurgen Klopp are different class, hence why Liverpool are winning the league tonight!

“We had to work every bit that we ccould to try and get a result. We had to work defensively so, so hard and we did it, and we created the better chances on the night.”

Lampard was happy to see his side make City pay for their mistakes on the night.

Benjamin Mendy was shown up by Pulisic for the first goal, before Fernandinho saw red to give Willian the opportunity to win the game after handballing on the line.

“You always try and limit your errors, which there have been issues with at times, and you always try and capitalise [on your opponents’] but when you’ve got pace and you’ve got players like Christian who can get away from people and drive with the ball, you can do that,” Lampard said.

“We’ve had the ball more than any team I think, regularly this season in games, the bigger percentage.

“But today against Manchester City when they play a false nine and they’ve got bodies in midfield, it’s really tough so we had to tweak a little bit at half-time, suffer in the first 20 minutes of the second half, but I think we deserved the win on chances.”

The Blues boss was also keen to praise the late contribution of substitute Tammy Abraham.

“Olly [Olivier Giroud] has been great for us but when you think about attributes and I knew we were suffering and we needed an outlet.

“Maybe to press a bit higher up the pitch, it’s a lot of work we’re asking for from the players but at any moment you need your subs and you need people to come on fresh and bring energy to the team and I thought Tammy did that.”

Robbie Fowler suggested Jurgen Klopp should be Liverpool's new "God" after the club clinched their first league title since 1990.

The Reds were crowned Premier League champions on Thursday after Manchester City fell to a 2-1 loss to Chelsea at Stamford Bridge.

Fowler, who earned the nickname 'God' during his Liverpool career, joked he was ready to hand that over to manager Klopp.

"I think I'm going to have to relinquish this God shout now, give it on to Jurgen. Jurgen can be called 'God' now, can't he?" he told Optus Sport .

"I'll let him have that, I'll let him have it.

"I honestly feel brilliant, I know we haven't played for Liverpool for a long time but to be here and witnessing what we've witnessed, it's absolutely incredible, it really is."

Since taking over at Liverpool in 2015, Klopp has led the club to a Premier League title, Champions League crown and UEFA Super Cup and Club World Cup trophies.

Fowler, who is now coach of A-League club Brisbane Roar, lauded the German's man management.

"Since Jurgen's been there, I think the belief that he has given the players and they really go into every game believing that they will win, believing that no one can touch them," he said.

"He's got the attitude absolutely spot on. What he said four years ago that he's going to bring the Premier League to this club, he's absolutely nailed it. In four years, he's been in the Europa League final, he's been in a Champions League final twice, obviously they've won it once, and now the Premier League.

"I think the belief that he's instilled into them players has been nothing short of just a phenomenal bit of man management."

Captain Jordan Henderson also paid tribute to Klopp on the night, calling him "a great leader and a great human being".

"What you see is what you get, with his press conferences and on the sidelines," Henderson told  Sky Sports .

“Obviously, he has got more of a personal side with the players, but he has got a balance of having a relationship with the players and being a friend but also being a bit ruthless when he needs to be.

"He is a great leader and a great human being and we all believe in him. We have got an amazing group and that is down to the manager and how he has gelled them all together. It's not a coincidence and it's credit to him and all the staff."

Virgil van Dijk has declared that Liverpool took their season to "another level" after claiming a long-awaited Premier League title. 

Having missed out on the trophy by a single point to Manchester City last year, the Reds have dominated this campaign with City's 2-1 loss to Chelsea on Thursday handing Jurgen Klopp's side the title with seven games to play. 

Liverpool have lost just one game and drawn two others in the league this season with the club on course to set a new Premier League points record.

Van Dijk has been key to the Reds' success on the pitch with his side conceding a league low 21 goals across 31 matches so far this season. 

As Klopp's side began their title celebrations, Van Dijk quickly reflected on what Liverpool had achieved this season and how they managed to up their game after falling short in the league last year. 

"It's unbelievable, what a season. We've been incredible," Van Dijk told BT Sport.

"To be part of this group of players and part of this journey is incredible and I am very proud to be able to call myself a Premier League winner.

"Of course, I watched the [Man City/Chelsea] game. I don't watch too many games but the game felt like it was taking ages and never ended. When the free-kick went in from Kevin [De Bruyne] - what an incredible goal by the way - I was getting nervous, and I haven't been nervous in a while.

"But after that it was just celebration time and we are all proud of each other. I can't really describe the feeling to be honest.

"In the league this year we have taken it to another level. We have been so consistent and played so well."

Liverpool are now hoping to convince Klopp for a few days off to celebrate with their next game against Manchester City set to kick off at the Etihad Stadium on July 2. 

Guardiola was quick to pay tribute to the Reds after losing to Chelsea, admitting his side failed to match the level of passion the title winners showed in every match this season. 

Polokwane City manager Clinton Larsen says the ministry of Sport and Health is not responsible for running football in South Africa but the Premier Soccer League (PSL) is.

He also discussed his hopes and fears for the restart of the PSL. The Rise and Shine boss shared his sentiments after an announcement by the Sports minister Nathi Mthethwa who gave the clubs under the PSL banner, the go-ahead as to returning to training on the field of play on Monday.

Larsen also explains how the coronavirus pandemic has affected his players and technical team, saying nobody in football has ever experienced such a long time with no active football.

“Well, basically the teams rely on the PSL for correspondence and we are waiting for the PSL to send us an email as they do to all the clubs, [to say] listen you have the green light,” Larsen told Goal.

“I understand teams are testing and stuff like that but the PSL is the one and not the ministry of health or the ministry of sport. These two ministries do not run football in South Africa but the PSL and Safa [South African Football Association].

“These are the only bodies that can notify the clubs to say you can return to training now and which protocols must be put in place.

“Yes, there was a document sent to all the clubs from the PSL clearly stating that testing must be done two to seven days prior to beginning training. So, if you look, some teams tested outside of that window which means they’ll have to test again.

“So, I think it also comes down to interpretation, some teams have been interpreting it [the contents] differently but I’m sure the league will clear that up shortly.

“Yes, there is a glimmer of hope but remember training and playing are two different things and a lot can happen between us starting to train and play you know.

"So, like I said it’s up to all 32 teams to follow the protocols put in place religiously, and that is left to be seen if the teams comply. So, we’ll just have to wait and see.

“Hopefully everybody does and we take back to training and playing again. So, it’s up to the clubs now to follow these strict measures put in place so that we can get on with football.”

Speaking about the state of mind of his players and his technical team where they have to train from the comfort of their homes, the former Bafana Bafana midfielder says it’s a challenging time for everyone.

“I don’t think anybody in football has seen this before. Three months without football is unheard of. Yes, four weeks in the past in the case of the off-season and you come back for pre-season,” he added.

“Three months is the longest any player had to be out. So, it’s difficult for coaches and players. We won’t be surprised by a lot of injuries on a return like it has happened across Europe.

“I hope we will get the necessary time for the players to get up to speed but I do believe there will be injuries across all clubs. I just hope the powers that be will give the necessary time to go back to prepare for the matches.”

Juventus head coach Maurizio Sarri says he has no concerns about Miralem Pjanic's suitability to his plans despite talk of an imminent deal which would see the midfielder head to Barcelona.

Arthur has agreed to join Juventus from Barcelona, setting up a deal that will see Pjanic move in the opposite direction.

The two deals are disconnected, with Arthur set to switch to Juve for €70 million (£63m/$79m) and Pjanic poised to move in the other direction for €60m (£55m/$67m).

Rumours of these deals have persisted for many weeks, with both clubs said to see the arrangement as a useful way of balancing the books amid the financial uncertainty brought on by the coronavirus pandemic, but Arthur was reportedly not interested in a move until a change of heart in the past few days.

Speaking ahead of Juve's Serie A clash with Lecce on Friday, which could stretch their lead over Lazio at the top of the table to seven points, Sarri insisted he has not been told by the club that Pjanic is bound for the exit.

He also made it clear he is not pushing for the midfielder to leave despite suggestions Pjanic is not wholly compatible with Sarri's preferred system.

"If he is sold, it'll be for other reasons. He is not under discussion from a technical point of view," he said on Thursday. "But the club haven't given me any signals in that sense, so I don't take it into consideration.

"The discussions between him and me are on technical and mental aspects. He mustn't worry if he misses a game, but he has to react quickly.

"I'm happy with Miralem and I'm sure, in that role, he can improve further."

When asked specifically about Arthur, Sarri replied: "Arthur is a Barcelona player and I don't want to talk about him."

Sarri had appeared irked by the fact Barca counterpart Quique Setien spoke about the rumours this week, claiming Arthur was affected by the speculation.

"Given how things are, we need all of our players and we'll try and isolate ourselves from this situation and the media who are reporting on and talking about these rumours," Setien said. "We need him to be focused. It's true it is a difficult situation but we have to overcome it somehow."

Wilfred Ndidi has revealed Leicester City manager Brendan Rodgers has helped him to grow since his arrival at the Premier League club.

The Nigeria international has developed into one of the best defensive midfielders in the English top-flight since joining the Foxes from Belgian side Genk in 2017.

The 23-year-old has had a number of managers since his arrival at the King Power Stadium, including Claudio Ranieri, Craig Shakespeare and Claude Puel.

The Super Eagles star, however, feels he experienced more growth and understanding of the game under the Northern Irish tactician.

“When Brendan came, I saw myself growing and understanding where I can actually grow to,” Ndidi told LCFCQ, as per the club website.

“It’s hard to explain. For me, I could see a path, I could see things differently. Growing in Leicester, I’m trying to understand the game, and now, I can understand it in different directions.

“He’s given me a wider view of where this is supposed to go to make me even better. The statistics are okay, but I can be better than that – that’s the way I can explain it.”

Ndidi has featured 31 times for the King Power Stadium outfit in this campaign across all competitions under the tutelage of the former Liverpool manager.

The midfielder currently ranks third in Premier League top tacklers with 96 tackles behind teammate Ricardo Pereira and Manchester United’s Aaron Wan-Bissaka.

His solid defensive performances ensured the Foxes’ third place on the Premier League table, behind leaders Liverpool and Manchester City.

Leicester are winless in their last two games after recording draws with Watford and Brighton & Hove Albion.

Ndidi, who has made 113 league appearances since joining the Foxes, will hope to help his side bounce back to winning ways when they take on Chelsea on Sunday.

Eddie Nketiah opened the scoring in Arsenal’s Premier League match against Southampton on Thursday, extending his impressive scoring record this season.

The Anglo-Ghanaian forward pounced on an error from Saints stopper Alex McCarthy to poke home from close range, having chased down an attempted clearance by the keeper.

It was a miserable moment for McCarthy, but was a moment to further highlight Nketiah’s burgeoning talent, as he demonstrated genuine hunger and tenacity to chase down a lost cause and put pressure on the keeper.

It also extended his fine goalscoring run this season, with the forward demonstrating an admirable consistency in front of goal.

This was only his eleventh start of the season in all competitions, but he’s netted six goals across those appearances, with four of those goals coming for Arsenal, and two coming for Leeds United.

The young attacker was on loan at Marcelo Bielsa’s Leeds during the first half of the campaign but was recalled by Mikel Arteta having caught the eye on several occasions in the Championship.

Nonetheless, he was rarely used as a starter by Bielsa, with 15 of Nketiah’s 17 appearances in the second tier coming from the bench.

The 21-year-old started for the Gunners against Manchester City in their first match back following the restart, looking sharp despite the one-sided contest and 3-0 victory for Pep Guardiola’s side.

At the weekend, he was introduced from the bench as Arsenal were defeated by Brighton & Hove Albion, and was preferred to Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang in the midweek trip to St Mary’s Stadium.

Nketiah’s goal against Southampton was his third of the calendar year, with some Gunners supporters cheekily noting he’s scored more than Harry Kane and Tammy Abraham combined since the start of 2020.

The youngster has also scored away from home against Bournemouth, Portsmouth and Southampton for Arsenal this term, a return which eclipses Alexandre Lacazette’s goal tally away from the Emirates Stadium.

Despite being at the club all season, the France international has only scored twice away from home since the start of the campaign.

Lewisham-born Nketiah has represented England from U18 to U21 level, but is eligible to represent Ghana’s Black Stars through his ancestry.

James Rodriguez wanted to join Atletico Madrid but was denied the opportunity to by Real Madrid, the Colombia international’s stepfather has said.

The No.10 has rarely featured for Zinedine Zidane’s side this season, having had a stop-start campaign on loan at Bayern Munich on loan previously.

He spoke up about the club's refusal to grant him a move to his favoured destination last summer but remained coy as to the identities of the clubs who were after him.

Juan Carlos Restrepo has lifted the lid on the potential deals, stating that the player favoured a switch across town to Los Blancos’ rivals – a desire that was snubbed by his employers.

“James would have preferred to go to Atlético Madrid in case of a transfer. This does not mean that there were no attempts and appreciations from other clubs as well. He feels comfortable in Spain, on a personal level, and was not convinced to change countries,” Restrepo told Radio Marte . 

“It may be that the friendly summer game played a role. But in the end, Real, who wants to dominate in Spain and the world, still considers the player to be important to his team and decided not to sell him. This was the official position.”

He also spoke of a potential move to Napoli, which the player turned down but could be open to in the future.

“I don't think James has closed the negotiations with Napoli, an important club with great prospects,” he said. “In my opinion, as James' adoptive father, I think the point was that in order for someone like him to be transferred, you have to agree in many places and in many ways.

“Whatever the club of his future, we hope the pieces of the puzzle will come together as they did not last year. If it’s a big club like Napoli, great. There must be a solution that satisfies everything on a human level, and on a technical project, and obviously on the economic issue.”

James, who will turn 29 next month, has only featured 14 times across all competitions for Madrid this term, scoring one goal and setting up two more. 

His only league appearance since October came against Real Sociedad on Sunday, in which he started on the right wing before being replaced with 12 minutes remaining.

New Wakiso Giants coach Douglas Bamweyana has revealed his desire to be the best coach in Africa.

Bamweyana was appointed to lead Wakiso Giants on a three-year deal and he believes the side offers him the best chance to hit his personal targets as well as establishing the club as a force to reckon with.

“My career objective is to be the best football coach on the African continent,” Bamweyana told the club's website.

“And this project presents a wonderful opportunity to take huge strides in the right direction, and to win stuff en route to establishing the Purple Sharks not only as a fans favourite but also the bull in the kraal.”

The former Express FC coach believes the chance to take charge of the Purple Sharks will give him an opportunity to show the world how good he is.

“To be honest; I partly feel a sense of excitement at having a good coaching environment alongside a much better squad to work with, and gratitude for a wonderful opportunity to fully show how great I am as a coach - hence a keen determination to win stuff in the shortest time possible,” added the former SC Villa tactician.

Bamweyana also spoke about the strengths of the current squad and whether he would bring more players in the upcoming transfer window.

“It's generally a very good squad - but could do with better competition between the sticks, in defence and in attack - assuming we keep all our options in the middle,” he revealed.

The former Maroons coach brought Richard Wasswa as his assistant and stated the reasons that informed his choice.

“We share a lot as humans and as coaches too - in values, beliefs and philosophy. We've also been very good pals for a number of years, have deliberated the possibility of working together for quite a while and this presented the perfect timing,” said the Caf 'A' license holder.

The 1981-born Bamweyana also spoke about the fans' roles as well as his hopes to establish a developed Wakiso Giants during his tenure.

“We're going to need the fans behind us and the lads - and in return; we promise to make them the proudest set of fans in the shortest time possible,” he concluded.

“Our most ardent target is to help our players develop into the best version of themselves individually and as a group to help foster the club's objectives.”

Goalkeeper Saidi Keni has committed his immediate future with Ugandan Premier League (UPL) side SC Villa after extending his stay by one and a half years.

The youngster joined the 16-time champions in 2019 from Proline FC and has proven his worth at the club.

"I am happy to commit my future to this great club because as a young boy growing up, I dreamed of playing for one of the great clubs in Uganda and they do not come any greater than SC Villa," Keni said as quoted by the club's media team.

"At this point and time, there is no better place for me to further my career than at this great club.

"It is a relief to finally get the paperwork out of the way so I can focus on doing what I love the most – which is football." 

Football was suspended in Mid-March before the Federation of Uganda Football Associations (Fufa) eventually cancelled it and crowned Vipers SC. The 20-year-old has revealed how the situation is on his side.

"It is somewhat unfortunate that there is not much football going on at the moment but I am working hard to ensure that as soon as the league returns, I am in top shape."

In the concluded 2019/20 season, the youngster played 23 matches for the Jogoo and kept eight clean sheets. 

In the process, he conceded 19 goals.

Villa were third with 46 points when the Federation of Uganda Football Associations (Fufa) cancelled the UPL and declared Vipers SC winners.

The Jogoo worked hard and finished third with four fewer points compared to second-placed KCCA FC, despite facing numerous challenges.
  
The UPL title chase had been between the Venoms and KCCA FC who were on 54 and 50 points respectively. 

KCCA won it in the 2012/13 season, defended it in the following campaign before the Venoms captured it in the 2014/15 season. In the 2015/16 and the subsequent seasons, Kassasiro Boys won it again before Vipers wrestled it from them in the 2017/18 campaign.

Mike Mutebi's side earned their 13th league title after they were crowned champions for the 2018/19 season.

Maroons FC, Uganda Cup defending Champions Proline FC and Tooro United, were relegated.

In the Fufa Big League promotion tussle, Myda FC and UPDF earned slots in the top-tier while Kiboga, Kataka, Kitara and Ndejje will face off in the play-offs to produce the third team that will grace the top-tier in the 2020/21 season.

One of Italy’s young rising stars has had a loan spell cut short because his parent club weren’t impressed at his use of TikTok.

Roma forward Mirko Antonucci has returned to Italy from Portuguese side Vitoria de Setubal after scoring once in six appearances since joining in January.

The 21-year-old, who has represented Italy at five youth international levels, posted a video on TikTok shortly after Vitoria’s 3-1 defeat to Boavista last Saturday which showed him dancing and smiling.

Antonucci issued a public apology and vow to quit social media, but that wasn’t enough to save his time at the club.

"This message is to say that I'm fully aware of the mistakes I made,” Antonucci said on Instagram.

“I would like to apologise to those that felt offended: fans, club, coach and teammates. I'm going to quit social media and from now on, you are only going to see me sweat with the Vitoria Setubal jersey until the last drop. Go Vitoria!"

Vitoria manager Julio Velazquez addressed the situation ahead of his side’s home fixture with Rio Ave in midweek, which they lost 2-1.

"It was communicated to his parent club, Roma, that the loan ends now and that we no longer count on the player, above all out of respect for the fans and the history of the club and for all those who work on a daily basis to represent this team with the greatest responsibility and dignity," Velazquez said.

"For what this badge represents, for the history of the club and out of respect for the fans, a Vitoria player must be one 24 hours a day.

“The situation is very simple; the club, the management, technical team and staff understood that the behaviour of a player who was on loan was not what we wanted of a Vitoria player, nor what the fans deserve, on and off the pitch."

Antonucci joined Roma as a youngster and signed his first professional contract in 2017. He made his professional debut the following January, assisting Edin Dzeko for Roma’s equaliser in a 1-1 Serie A draw with Sampdoria.

He later featured in Roma’s Champions League semi-final clash with Liverpool, and spent the 2018-19 season on loan at Pescara.

Mikel Arteta got a response from Arsenal as they bounced back from successive Premier League defeats with a somewhat improved performance and 2-0 win at Southampton on Thursday.

The Gunners suffered back-to-back losses to Manchester City and Brighton and Hove Albion following the season's resumption, but they resembled a more focused and resilient unit as they scrapped to a win, unspectacular though it was.

Matteo Guendouzi, fortunate to avoid a retrospective sanction for grabbing Neal Maupay by the throat last Saturday, was the most significant casualty of the Brighton defeat as he was dropped from the squad, but the Frenchman's absence seemed to have no negative impact on Arsenal.

A promising first half saw Eddie Nketiah pounce on an Alex McCarthy error to give Arsenal the lead, and they managed to hold firm under pressure in the second period.

Jack Stephens' late red card helped their cause, with Joe Willock netting his first Premier League goal soon afterwards to wrap up the three points and boost their Europa League qualification hopes.

For all the doom and gloom surrounding Arsenal in recent weeks, they enjoyed a bright start at St. Mary's. Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang tested McCarthy and also hit the crossbar either side of Nketiah having a goal disallowed for offside during the early exchanges.

But Nketiah did score legally in the 20th minute, closing down McCarthy and blocking his attempted pass before tapping into an empty net.

Saints began the second half on the front foot but almost found themselves 2-0 down in the 54th minute. Aubameyang raced on to Emiliano Martinez's drop-kick and attempted to square across goal for Nketiah, only for Jan Bednarek to divert it just past the post.

Shane Long was denied by Martinez before Arsenal eventually made sure of the victory late on.

Stephens tripped Aubameyang as the last man to earn a straight red, and from the resulting free-kick Willock turned in from close range after Alexandre Lacazette's effort fell kindly for him.

What does it mean? Gunners see things out to boost European hopes

Prior to this game, Arsenal had lost 10 points from winning positions in their 12 Premier League matches under Arteta, more than under Unai Emery and Freddie Ljungberg combined. Given the pattern of much of the second half, few would have backed them to buck that trend.

Against a better side they may well have come unstuck, but they did manage to see the win out, moving them back to within two points of Tottenham, who are currently in the final Europa League qualification spot.

Martinez dependable between the posts

With Bernd Leno out injured, Martinez finally has his chance in the Arsenal side and he certainly did not look out of place here. While he was by no means incredible, he made a couple of smart saves and his distribution was good, particularly when releasing Aubameyang early in the second half.

McCarthy does little to help Saints

Clear-cut chances were not exactly frequent for the Gunners – even their opener essentially came out of nothing. McCarthy was too casual when closed down by Nketiah, who capitalised and opened the scoring. He seemed to tempt fate again soon after but got away with it on that occasion.

Key Opta Facts

- Arsenal registered only their third away Premier League win of the season (W3 D8 L5) with all three wins coming under different coaches (Unai Emery, Freddie Ljungberg and Mikel Arteta).
- Arteta has won as many as games in 18 matches as Arsenal boss in all competitions (W9 D5 L4) as Emery and Ljungberg managed in 26 games combined this season (W9 D11 L6).
- Eddie Nketiah has scored six goals in 11 starts in all competitions this season for Arsenal (4) and Leeds United (2).
- No team has made more errors leading to opposition goals in the Premier League this season than Southampton (10).
- Joe Willock scored his first Premier League goal for Arsenal in his 26th appearance in the competition and with his 13th shot.

What's next?

Arsenal go to Sheffield United in the FA Cup quarter-finals on Sunday before returning to Premier League action at home to Norwich City the following Wednesday. Saints face Watford at Vicarage Road in the league in three days' time.

Mikel Arteta got a response from Arsenal as they bounced back from successive Premier League defeats with a somewhat improved performance and 2-0 win at Southampton on Thursday.

The Gunners suffered back-to-back losses to Manchester City and Brighton and Hove Albion following the season's resumption, but they resembled a more focused and resilient unit as they scrapped to a win, unspectacular though it was.

Matteo Guendouzi, fortunate to avoid a retrospective sanction for grabbing Neal Maupay by the throat last Saturday, was the most significant casualty of the Brighton defeat as he was dropped from the squad, but the Frenchman's absence seemed to have no negative impact on Arsenal.

A promising first half saw Eddie Nketiah pounce on an Alex McCarthy error to give Arsenal the lead, and they managed to hold firm under pressure in the second period.

Jack Stephens' late red card helped their cause, with Joe Willock netting his first Premier League goal soon afterwards to wrap up the three points and boost their Europa League qualification hopes.

For all the doom and gloom surrounding Arsenal in recent weeks, they enjoyed a bright start at St. Mary's. Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang tested McCarthy and also hit the crossbar either side of Nketiah having a goal disallowed for offside during the early exchanges.

But Nketiah did score legally in the 20th minute, closing down McCarthy and blocking his attempted pass before tapping into an empty net.

Saints began the second half on the front foot but almost found themselves 2-0 down in the 54th minute. Aubameyang raced on to Emiliano Martinez's drop-kick and attempted to square across goal for Nketiah, only for Jan Bednarek to divert it just past the post.

Shane Long was denied by Martinez before Arsenal eventually made sure of the victory late on.

Stephens tripped Aubameyang as the last man to earn a straight red, and from the resulting free-kick Willock turned in from close range after Alexandre Lacazette's effort fell kindly for him.

What does it mean? Gunners see things out to boost European hopes

Prior to this game, Arsenal had lost 10 points from winning positions in their 12 Premier League matches under Arteta, more than under Unai Emery and Freddie Ljungberg combined. Given the pattern of much of the second half, few would have backed them to buck that trend.

Against a better side they may well have come unstuck, but they did manage to see the win out, moving them back to within two points of Tottenham, who are currently in the final Europa League qualification spot.

Martinez dependable between the posts

With Bernd Leno out injured, Martinez finally has his chance in the Arsenal side and he certainly did not look out of place here. While he was by no means incredible, he made a couple of smart saves and his distribution was good, particularly when releasing Aubameyang early in the second half.

McCarthy does little to help Saints

Clear-cut chances were not exactly frequent for the Gunners – even their opener essentially came out of nothing. McCarthy was too casual when closed down by Nketiah, who capitalised and opened the scoring. He seemed to tempt fate again soon after but got away with it on that occasion.

Key Opta Facts

- Arsenal registered only their third away Premier League win of the season (W3 D8 L5) with all three wins coming under different coaches (Unai Emery, Freddie Ljungberg and Mikel Arteta).
- Arteta has won as many as games in 18 matches as Arsenal boss in all competitions (W9 D5 L4) as Emery and Ljungberg managed in 26 games combined this season (W9 D11 L6).
- Eddie Nketiah has scored six goals in 11 starts in all competitions this season for Arsenal (4) and Leeds United (2).
- No team has made more errors leading to opposition goals in the Premier League this season than Southampton (10).
- Joe Willock scored his first Premier League goal for Arsenal in his 26th appearance in the competition and with his 13th shot.

What's next?

Arsenal go to Sheffield United in the FA Cup quarter-finals on Sunday before returning to Premier League action at home to Norwich City the following Wednesday. Saints face Watford at Vicarage Road in the league in three days' time.

The Premier League clubs have revealed which players they are set to retain and which they are set to release at the end of the month, with Arsenal’s Tobi Omole one of several young African talents set to be seeking new employers.

Late June can always be a difficult time for young Premier League players looking to make their name in the sport, as clubs take decisions on which out-of-contract players will be offered new deals, and who will be cut loose.

Anglo-Nigerian winger Jordon Ibe is one of the most high-profile African players set to be released at the season’s end, with his departure being confirmed by Bournemouth and the Premier League.

The Cherries recruited the wideman from Liverpool for a whopping club-record £15 million when he joined in 2016, but has done little to repay that fee over the subsequent four years.

While players coming to the end of their deals are allowed to be offered extensions to their current deals—in light of the exceptional circumstances this season—to play until the end of the extended campaign, Sky Sports reported that Ibe would become a free agent on July 1.

Senegal’s Oumar Niasse, another player who’s endured a testing time in the Premier League following his arrival from Lokomotiv Moscow, will also be leaving Everton after failing to make his mark on Merseyside.

Despite attempts by Marco Silva to revitalise his Everton career, the forward has been deemed surplus to requirements by Carlo Ancelotti.

Omole departs Arsenal despite having featured in the Premier League 2 following his arrival at the club’s academy in 2014.

Having been a dynamic box-to-box operator earlier in his career, his versatility allowed him to impose himself as a centre-back, while he’s also featured as a left-back during his time with the North London heavyweights.

Other Nigerians set to be out of work are Colin Odutayo of Aston Villa, Tunde Bayode of Burnley and Korede Adedoyin of Everton.

At Watford, Nigerian youngster Jamal Balogun and Ghanaian youngster Michael Folivi will both be seeking new employers, as will other Ghanaians Phil Ofosu-Ayeh (West Ham United) and Jacob Kwabena Mensah (Crystal Palace).