Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain has been taking cues from Dani Alves since moving to a wing-back role for Arsenal.

Oxlade-Chamberlain was redeployed to cover the right flank when Arsene Wenger re-jigged his side into a 3-4-3 formation last month and turned in a string of impressive performances.

The England international set up Nacho Monreal s equaliser in the 2-1 FA Cup semi-final win over Manchester City but his chances of taking part in the final were placed in jeopardy when he suffered a hamstring strain at Southampton two weeks ago.

But the 23-year-old, who missed out on a place in the matchday squad when Arsenal lifted the cup in 2014 and only featured in a late substitute cameo 12 months later at Wembley, confirmed he is fit to face Chelsea in Saturday s showpiece…

Bayern Munich head coach Julian Nagelsmann has tested positive for COVID-19.

Nagelsmann was absent due to flu-like symptoms as Bayern beat Benfica 4-0 in Portugal on Wednesday, maintaining their flawless Champions League group-stage record so far this season, with assistant manager Dino Toppmoller standing in.

The Bavarian giants have won each of their first three games in the competition, scoring 12 times and not conceding a single goal to sit five points clear at the top of Group E.

The club confirmed on Thursday morning that the 34-year-old, despite being fully vaccinated, had tested positive for the virus and will return to Munich separately instead of with the rest of the squad before isolating at his home.

As a result, Nagelsmann will miss Bayern s …

Sergio Ramos claims he belatedly accepted a contract offer from Real Madrid but then the club withdrew it, resulting in his impending departure.

Madrid confirmed on Wednesday that the club was to host a farewell news conference and ceremony for Ramos the following day, with his future finally resolved.

The 35-year-old s contract was due to expire at the end of June and speculation had long been stirring about what would come next for Ramos, with 2020-21 a difficult one for him due to injuries and illness.

For several weeks there had been rumours suggesting Ramos had decided to leave, with the reports generally claiming Madrid were unwilling to meet his contract demands.

It was said Ramos wanted a two-year deal but Madrid would only offer him a one-year ex…

Barcelona coach Pep Guardiola has put his side s shock 2-1 loss to Real Sociedad down to their lack of command on the ball and possession.

The reigning champions opened the scoring through youngster Thiago Alcantara s goal in the first half but uncharacteristically conceded twice after the break, with Diego Ifran and Xabi Prieto goals condemning the Catalans to only their second defeat in the 2010-11 season.

But Guardiola has insisted the Blaugrana will take the defeat in their stride as they look to seal their third straight La Liga title.

It is an important lesson that we were taught today. We have to play with our heads. We need four points and we must find where we can get them, he said.

We are a team capable of winning or losing. We have come fro…

PSV have been fined €40,000 by UEFA and banned from selling tickets for their next Europa League away game after fans ripped out seats and hurled items after the match at Arsenal.

The Dutch club discovered their punishment just hours ahead of the Group A return game between the teams in Eindhoven on Thursday.

UEFA has also ordered PSV to reimburse Arsenal for the cost of repairing the damaged seats, giving them 30 days in which to address the matter with the Gunners.

Trouble broke out at the end of last Thursday s game, which Arsenal won 1-0 at Emirates Stadium to guarantee a place in the knockout stage.

— PSV (@PSV)

As well as seats being damaged and thrown, a flare was also tossed from the PSV section towards Arsenal supporters.

Tottenham Hotspur midfielder Sandro will be out for three months after undergoing surgery on a knee injury picked up on Brazil duty.

The 22-year-old withdrew from the Copa America on Tuesday after scans revealed a torn lateral meniscus in the left knee.

Tottenham have confirmed Sandro will be out until October at the earliest following an operation on Friday.

Sandro signed for Spurs from Internacional in March 2010, remaining with the Brazilian club and helping them to Copa Libertadores success last year.

He made 26 appearances for the English Premier League club in all competitions last season, impressing against AC Milan in the Champions League round of 16.

A six-cap Brazil international who made his debut in 2009, Sandro has not featured for …

Manchester United s owners, the Glazer family, could be set to sell their stake in the club amid reports of a $US1 billion floatation.

The American owners are reportedly preparing an initial public offering for up to 25 percent of the club by the end of the year, depending on market conditions.

However, senior Manchester United figures have told Goal.com that the Glazers are set to float the English Premier League club on the Singapore stock exchange and sell their entire stake, which they bought for 790 million pounds in a leveraged buyout in May 2005.

The Qatari government has previously been credited with an interest in buying United, but the Glazers reported 1.7 billion-pound valuation is said to have been too prohibitive.

The latest reports come two…

Spanish La Liga high-flyers Valencia have moved to confirm reports linking them with a January move for Benfica star Enzo Perez.

The Argentine midfielder is believed to be the primary target for los Che in the upcoming transfer window even if he will not be available on the cheap.

And club sporting director Francisco Rufete has now all but admitted that Valencia will attempt to lure Perez to Mestalla in January.

“Enzo is a player who has always appealed to the club and is a player who Valencia has to follow,” Rufete told reporters.

Los Che have signed Andre Gomes and Rodrigo Moreno from Benfica in the summer and Enzo Perez is widely expected to follow in their footsteps.

The 28-year-old joined the Eagles from Estudiantes in the summer of 2011…

Manchester City goalkeeper Joe Hart said he is hoping to erase some painful memories when his side travel to the Santiago Bernabeu for the second leg of their Champions League semi-final against Real Madrid next week.

Hart was slammed by then-City manager Roberto Mancini the last time he travelled to the Bernabeu for openly criticising his team-mates as they let a 2-1 lead slip to a 3-2 loss in September 2012.

The stakes were high that night, despite being a group stage fixture, but not as high as they will be on Wednesday.

We ve learned a lot since that night, he said. It was a tough game. It was certainly a busy one for me, especially.

I think [Cristiano] Ronaldo and Benzema scored their last goals and as disappointing as it was, both goals were avoid…

Arturo Vidal has denied any involvement in an incident that required police intervention at a casino in Chile, but acknowledged he had been at the venue earlier in the evening.

The Bayern Munich midfielder is on international duty in Chile and is reported to have been at a party with friends and family, which went on until the early hours of Tuesday.

Vidal initially denied being at the establishment at all, claiming that the media were attempting to tarnish his image.

However, addressing a news conference. Vidal admitted he had been in attendance but left well before the incident took place.

A lot of untrue information was published. First, it is true that I went to the casino, I was there with my friends, he said.

I went to have dinner and rema…