Mertesacker intends to retire, in talks over non-playing Arsenal role

Niko Kovac says long-serving attacker Arjen Robben deserves better than to spend the final months of his Bayern Munich career on the treatment table.

Veteran winger Robben, 35, fears he has played his final game for the club after a hurting his calf in the latest of a long series of injury issues.

The ex-Netherlands international will leave the Allianz Arena when his contract expires at the end of the campaign.

Robben last featured for the Bundesliga champions on November 27, scoring twice in a Champions League win over Benfica.

It s very sad that Arjen has not been with us since November, Kovac said.

He always feels something, even though the doctors are giving positive signs. He just does not feel right at the moment.

It would be nice…

Aston Villa are interested in signing Emile Smith Rowe from Arsenal in the summer transfer window, according to . Emith Rowe has yet to sign a new deal, and the Villans are claimed to hold an interest in the 20-year-old attacking midfielder.

Villa are looking for a creative midfielder and have also looked at Norwich City star Emiliano Buendia. Smith Rowe enjoyed a breakthrough season at Arsenal this past campaign and is rated very highly. The 20-year-old made 18 starts and two substitute appearances in the Premier League for the Gunners this past season, scoring two goals and providing four assists in the process, according to . The Englishman also made eight starts and three substitute appearances in the Europa League for the North London club, scoring one goal and providing t…

Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho believes bad luck is behind his team s recent Premier League struggles.

A 0-0 result at home to Southampton on Saturday marked United s third consecutive Premier League draw.

Mourinho s men have slipped to third in the table, a point behind Chelsea and 15 adrift of runaway league leaders Manchester City.

The Portuguese tactician feels his team have lacked luck in recent matches, lamenting injuries and decisions not going his side s way.

I feel unlucky, but when unlucky in football, you have to chase, which is what we try to do, Mourinho said.

When I speak about three big decisions, three penalties in matches where a penalty and a possible goal makes a huge difference, I want to say unlucky because it s wha…

Arsenal star Thomas Partey will return to training alongside his team-mates ahead of the north London derby with Premier League leaders Tottenham, according to Mikel Arteta.

Partey has been sidelined with a thigh injury sustained in Arsenal s defeat to Aston Villa at the beginning of November.

The 27-year-old Ghana international had been training on his own as part of his recovery, but will now join up with the rest of the Arsenal squad.

Speaking after the Gunners 4-1 win over Rapid Vienna in the Europa League on Thursday, Arsenal manager Arteta suggested Partey could play a part in Sunday s showdown against Spurs.

Well, he s putting a lot of pressure on us, Arteta told a media conference.

He s training tomorrow [Friday] with us and let s see ho…

Burnley manager Sean Dyche has defended his Liverpool counterpart Brendan Rodgers ahead of their Premier League meeting on Boxing Day.

Liverpool have thus far failed to recreate their scintillating form of the 2013-14 campaign, and they come into Friday s clash at Turf Moor 10th in the table and without a win in their previous three outings.

Rodgers has come in for criticism in some parts largely for his work in the transfer market in his attempts to replace the goals of Luis Suarez, who departed for Barcelona.

With last season s second top scorer Daniel Sturridge also absent, through injury, Rodgers side have struggled to earn consistent results and Dyche expressed his sympathy for his opposite number s position.

It s a tough one, he said. How do you de…

Borussia Dortmund have coasted to a 3-0 victory over Nuremberg at the Signal Iduna Park, moving into second place provisionally in the Bundesliga.

The reigning German champions secured all three points with a competent display that was decided by a first-half double from Jakub Blaszczykowski, with Robert Lewandowski adding a third in the 88th minute.

Dortmund were awarded a rather soft penalty in the 18th minute as Timo Gebhart felled Lukasz Piszczek in the area. Blaszczykowski was handed the responsibility and he buried the spot-kick to the keeper s right in cool fashion.

Nuremberg have not won a game after going behind since March 2011 and any hopes of bucking that trend were gone when Blaszczykowski swept home from a low Mario Goetze cross, doubling his side …

News coming out of St Petersburg is that Russian top performer from Euro 2008 Andrei Arshavin is almost certain to sign for Tottenham Hotspur within days.

It is believed that the two clubs have already agreed to the terms.

Arshavin is seen to be the ideal replacement for Robbie Keane who has joined Liverpool as well as Dimitar Berbatov who could be on his way to Old Trafford within days.

Arshavin would probably have made the move earlier had it not been for the asking price of 28 million that Zenit St Petersburg had been asking for the Russian playmaker.

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Manchester United s players will wear black armbands in Sunday s Premier League game with Southampton following the death of fan representative Ian Stirling.

Stirling, one of United s most prominent supporters, died from a stroke at the age of 57.

He was a founding member of United s Fans Advisory Board and was a central figure in a number of campaigns, including against the club s Glazer family owners.

United confirmed on their official website that they will pay respect to Stirling during the match with Southampton at Old Trafford by sporting black armbands.

Everyone at Manchester United is deeply saddened by the passing of respected fan representative, Ian Stirling.

Ian was a passionate fearless champion of fan interests, and a cherished friend…

Chelsea have completed the signing of Michy Batshuayi from Marseille on a five-year deal, with the Belgium striker becoming new manager Antonio Conte s first arrival at Stamford Bridge.

Batshuayi who has reportedly cost the Blues €40million scored 17 goals and supplied nine assists in his second Ligue 1 campaign, as Marseille finished a disappointing 13th in 2015-16.

The 22-year-old had also allegedly attracted the interest of Juventus, Tottenham, West Ham and Crystal Palace, but Chelsea won the race for his signature.

I am delighted to sign for one of the biggest clubs in Europe and embark on the next chapter in my career, Batshuayi told the club s official website.

I hope I can help Chelsea win many trophies during my time at Stamford Bridge.  

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Sevilla have reached an agreement with Atletico Madrid for the loan signing of Argentine midfielder Matias Kranevitter, subject to a medical.

Kranevitter made the switch to La Liga from River Plate in August 2015 before immediately returning to the club on loan.

He switched to Atleti in January and made eight La Liga appearances as they finished third in the league and also reached the Champions League final, where they were beaten on penalties by rivals Real Madrid.

The 23-year-old is now set to continue his development with Sevilla for the 2016-17 campaign, with both clubs confirming an agreement had been reached.

Kranevitter, who was part of the Argentina squad that reached the Copa America final, will undergo a medical on his return to Spain before s…