Arsene Wenger has been busy once again and has secured the future of veteran midfield Santi Cazorla, The Daily Mirror reports.

What’s the word?

After recently signing Francis Coquelin, Olivier Giroud and Laurent Koscielny to new deals, before activating an extension clause in the contract of Per Mertesacker, Arsene Wenger has been busy with internal deals once again to secure a similar clause in Santi Cazorla’s deal.

The Spaniard, who remains sidelined through injury, is an influential member of the North London side and the Gunners have struggled to find a replacement in the side during his absence, with the likes of Granit Xhaka and Aaron Ramsey both lacking the necessary attributes.

Cazorla, 32, saw his contract due to expire at the end of the season- but an FA slip-up has revealed Arsenal have extended his deal.

Is this the right move?

Arsene Wenger has been accused of being too sentimental to his players, a criticism that reared it’s head again this week following the decision to hand Mertesacker another year at the club despite the German not playing since last April, but Cazorla is an understandable move.

Despite his age, Cazorla is a first-choice option for the Gunners when fit and Arsenal’s troubles without his services prove his importance to the side. However, his injury means he may not feature again before the end of the season.

Arsenal need to find a long-term replacement for the Spaniard but that is easier said than done, so securing Cazorla to a short-term deal whilst they find a longer solution is the right move.

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A car belonging to wantaway West Ham United star Dimitri Payet was recently vandalised outside his home, according to the Daily Mail.

The Frenchman sent shockwaves through the club and its fanbase when he informed manager Slaven Bilic that he no longer wants to play for the club.

The 29-year-old is believed to be trying to instigate a return to Marseille, who have had two bids – one thought to be around £20m – rejected by the Hammers, according to BBC Sport.

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Payet has been shunned from the first team and forced to train with the Under-23s, while the Daily Mail claims that the playmaker is not welcome at team meetings and dinners.

The latest development in the saga is an unsavoury one, as the British publication reports that a brick was thrown through a window and aimed at Payet’s car.

Such is the Frenchman’s desire to return to his homeland, the midfielder has turned down salary offers of around £500,000-a-week from Chinese Super League clubs, reports Sky Sports.

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Safe to say, Manchester City have given West Ham an absolute pasting this season.

From their two matches so far this term, a Premier League fixture in August and an EFL Cup clash earlier this month, Pep Guardiola’s side boast two wins with an aggregate scoreline of 8-1.

But in terms of recent form, it’s actually the Hammers who come out better; despite Payet-gate lingering over the club, Slaven Bilic’s boys have claimed four wins from their last seven Premier League outings, whereas City have failed to find victory in three of their last four.

That includes hefty defeats to Everton and Liverpool on Merseyside, forcing Guardiola to admit the Citizens’ planned title push could be over already, and a disappointing draw with Spurs despite going 2-0 up at the Etihad Stadium.

In short, the two-time Premier League champions are there for the taking when West Ham host them under the London Stadium floodlights tonight. We take a look at three ways the Irons can claim revenge for their humbling defeats at the hands of the Citizens.

Aerial bombardment

Such a strategy may contain traces of Sam Allardyce but West Ham need to play to their strengths against high-quality opposition and aerial dominance certainly falls into that category. On average, the Hammers win 2.4 more aerial duels per match than the visitors, whilst they also rank second throughout the Premier League for headed goals this season – as shown above.

To call City weak in the air would be a little unfair, but it’s clearly not a priority for Guardiola and in stark contrast to the east Londoners, Liverpool are the only club in the top six to have conceded more headers than his side so far this term – as shown below.

Of course, taking the aerial approach requires the kind of long-ball-game Hammers fans came to detest under Allardyce, but there is another advantage of going direct against City; bypassing that immensely talented midfield, whilst putting pressure on a back four, Claudio Bravo included, desperately struggling for confidence at the minute.

Further highlighting aerial bombardment as a potential breaking point, Bravo ranks a lowly 20th throughout the Premier League for catches this season – although he does have a 100% success rate.

Set Pieces

Inherently linked with their aforementioned proficiency in the air, West Ham simply must take advantage of City at set pieces. Once again, it’s not exactly a Citizens weakness but the table above shows just how more effective the Hammers are in this regard, ranking second throughout the Premier League for goals from dead ball situations this season – equating to 31% of their top-flight tally of 36.

No doubt, the Irons boast some fantastic targets in the air. 13 of Michail Antonio’s 16 Premier League goals for West Ham have come via his head, including the most of any player in the division, six, this season, whilst centre-backs Winston Reid, James Collins, Jose Fonte and Angelo Ogbonna are all real beasts in the air.

And then there’s the not-s0-small matter of Andy Carroll, who has returned to fitness with a bang and now boasts three goals in his last two Premier League outings. Although just two goals have come with his head this term, the occasional England man has averaged a whopping 9.9 successful aerial duels per match – the most of any Premier League player – as shown below.

Press high and pin City back

Whether West Ham have the right kind of player to press high up the pitch remains open to debate. Andy Carroll, although large and somewhat mobile, isn’t exactly renowned for winning the ball back in the final third and overall, it’s not something you’d particularly associate with the Hammers under Slaven Bilic – they more tend to sit back before hitting on the counter.

Nonetheless, the likes of Spurs, Liverpool, Leicester City and Everton have provided the perfect template for West Ham to follow, if their forward players can dig a little deeper and find a bit more energy for a rather unique ninety minutes.

City will shuffle the ball around the back until they’re blue in the face, even if they’re being hounded from all sides, and in the high-octane world of the Premier League, that inevitably leads to mistakes in possession and consequently, conceding sloppy goals.

As we’ve already mentioned, City’s confidence in defence is at an all-time low right now, so if West Ham take a risk by pressing high, it seems inevitable they’ll eventually win the ball in dangerous areas.

The Champions League has returned this week and for Arsenal it represents one of the toughest tests of the season. They have the unenviable task of travelling Bundesliga leaders Bayern Munich on Wednesday night hoping to pick up a result to take back to the Emirates Stadium.

It’s a tough ask and not really the reward the Gunners were looking for after winning their group so superbly last year.

It’s not all doom and gloom for Wenger’s men, though, this Bayern side aren’t as imperious as they’ve been in recent years with Carlo Ancelotti not exactly winning over supporters after the exit of Pep Guardiola last summer.

There are ways Arsenal can get at the Germans and if they can pick up a draw or even an incredible win then they’ll be in great shape for the second leg.

Here are the THREE Bayern weaknesses that the Gunners should exploit…

Smash the left flank

Philipp Lahm announcing his retirement at the end of the season has sent shockwaves around Germany over the last week. It was a controversial move with the Bayern hierarchy somewhat unhappy with his decision to announce it in such a fashion.

As quoted by The Sun, chief executive Karl-Heinz Rummenigge said:

“Bayern Munich are surprised by the actions of Philipp Lahm and his advisor.”

Hardly the ideal situation heading into the knockout stages of UEFA’s biggest club competition.

Lahm played at right-back on the weekend away to Ingolstadt but didn’t have the best game in a 2-0 Bayern win, before being substituted in the second half. If Arsenal can capitalise on this friction then it could be a way for them to expose what is a very talented backline.

That’s not to say Lahm isn’t still one of the best right-backs in the world, he is an extraordinary player. Arsenal have plenty of talent on that left-hand side though with the likes of Alex Iwobi and Alexis Sanchez able to put in match-winning performances. If they can overload on that side and give Lahm a battle, the Gunners may be able to show why he’s decided to hang up his boots at the end of the campaign.

Bayern’s pressure to win big

Bayern’s away record in Europe isn’t the best – in fact, they’ve failed to win away from home in their last eight knockout ties in the Champions League. Also losing twice away from home in this season’s competition to FC Rostov and Atletico Madrid, it’s clear that Ancelotti will be looking for a convincing win on Wednesday night to avoid any potential slip-up at the Emirates.

That puts pressure on the home side and leaves Wenger with a dilemma. Match them toe-to-toe in an open attacking game? Or have his side bide their time to pick off Bayern on the counter-attack?

Given the German side’s need to win it could be the latter that proves most effective. We know Arsenal can counter with pace with the likes of Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and Theo Walcott likely to be in the side, while we know Arsenal can take chances with the likes of Alexis Sanchez leading the attack. Can Wenger exploit Ancelotti’s desire to win by two clear goals?

A midfield casualty

As reported by The Daily Mail, Xabi Alonso is facing a fitness battle ahead of Arsenal’s visit after hobbling out of a training session with a knee injury this week.

That’s a massive boost for Arsenal. Even if he makes the game, it gives the Gunners midfield an edge to exploit, knowing that the Spaniard likely isn’t at 100%. If he misses it? Well, Arsenal’s stars can impose themselves on the game knowing that Ancelotti has had to veer from his gameplan.

With Granit Xhaka again available, Wenger has a bit of midfield steel of his own to call upon and that could be vital with Bayern looking to exploit the space between Arsenal’s somewhat lightweight midfield and their defence. Xhaka, of course, knows all about Bayern having arrived at the Emirates from a four-year stint at Borussia Monchengladbach.

Can Arsenal exploit this pre-match turmoil in the heart of Bayern’s midfield?

As reported by The Express, Liverpool are the side most interested in signing Fulham’s teenage sensation Ryan Sessegnon this summer and are ready counter interest from some of the biggest clubs in England.

What’s the story?

Currently making a name for himself on the left flank at Fulham, 16 year old Sessegnon is tipped to make an impression at the very top of the game.

The Express report that Antonio Conte is a big fan but it’s Liverpool’s Jurgen Klopp who is hoping to sign him when the transfer window opens again.

With Arsenal and Manchester City also interested in signing him up to his first professional contract, it would be quite the coup if Liverpool manage to land him.

Worth the fuss?

Compared to Gareth Bale by Fulham teammate Kevin McDonald, it’s clear Sessegnon is thought to have a very bright future in the game. The teenager has made 18 appearances in his first season of professional football and has shown excellent dribbling and crossing ability.

At just 16, he is of course still raw and would require polishing by Klopp to truly shine for Liverpool. What he needs more than anything is regular first-team football so perhaps a move to the Anfield would not be the best for his development.

Nevertheless, the Reds investing early in that development could pay dividends down the line, especially if he truly is a player that could turn into a world class talent like Gareth Bale.

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The world’s oldest association football competition returns to our screens this weekend, with the FA Cup reaching the quarter-final stages, and it will have punters all over the country looking for the chance to make some big money with an upset.

However, whilst we have seen out fair share of giant killings this season, now we’re into the latter stages of the competition, with just eight sides left looking to book their place at Wembley Stadium, it looks very unlikely that results will go against the odds this weekend.

Therefore, it may be beneficial to your bank balance to look deeper into the options of who and what you can back with your pocket money this weekend.

Individual bets on goalscorers are always a win for the canny punters out there and many will be looking at the Arsenal front men, when they take on non-league Lincoln City at The Emirates, to make them some quick money.

However, there is an even more sure-fire way to turn a profit on goalscorers this weekend, and he’s just across north London.

Tottenham striker Harry Kane has been in sublime form this season, especially since the turn of the year. The England international is leading the Premier League top scoring charts with 19, after his brace against Everton last weekend.

That may be more than enough for many to back him, at a generous 11/5, to open the scoring against Millwall at the Lane this weekend, however, if you are still not convinced, his stats this calendar year will have you running to the bookies with cash in hand.

The 23-year-old has featured in 12 games in 2017, bagging 14 goals and three hat-tricks, one of which was against Fulham in the FA Cup fifth round

Still not enough? Well, just to tip you over the edge, in every game Kane has scored in 2017, he has been the one to open the scoring. Taking all that in, you would be foolish not to get the “one season wonder” on to continue that trend this weekend.

Romelu Lukaku has told Everton that he will not sign a new contract at the club, despite his agent Mino Raiola indicating that a deal was almost done, according to The Telegraph.

What’s the latest?

The majority of Everton fans have probably been waiting for an official announcement that their star striker has put pen to paper on a new contract given the amount of times that the player’s representative has discussed it.

Raiola recently reiterated to talkSPORT that a long-term deal was 99.9% finalised, but importantly, Lukaku has been rather quiet on the situation.

His only real comment on the speculation was given a few days ago when he replied, “No”, after being asked by Play Sports if he was signing a new deal.

Now, reports The Telegraph, Lukaku has informed Everton that he will not put pen to paper on a £140,000-a-week contract.

It appears as though the Belgium international intends to keep his options open ahead of what could be a busy summer transfer window.

What happens next?

Lukaku still has two years remaining on his current deal, so there is no rush for either party to come to a solution just yet.

Because of this reason, the Toffees are unlikely to give up hope on convincing the 23-year-old to put pen to paper.

However, the latest developments are sure to spark the attention of rival clubs that may be keen on making a move for Lukaku.

The striker’s former club Chelsea have previously been linked with a big-money swoop, while Manchester United have also been touted s a rumoured suitor.

Elite clubs around Europe are also likely to be linked to the forward, who has admitted before that he has a desire to play Champions League football.

If Everton are resigned to losing their key player, then they are expected to demand a huge fee for him.

As it stands, Lukaku is joint top scorer alongside Tottenham Hotspur striker Harry Kane in the Premier League with 19 goals.

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Celtic’s progress under Brendan Rodgers continues to be stellar. Now 36 games unbeaten domestically, a stretch that runs the entire season, the club are now just one win away from a sixth successive league tile.

In recent weeks though performances have gone slightly off the boil. It’s obviously absurd to suggest there are problems at Celtic, especially on the pitch, but the team could do with refocusing on their goals between now and the end of the season.

The big one is of course securing a domestic treble of trophies. The Hoops have a massive semi-final in the Scottish Cup coming up against Rangers, a match that is by far the most important of their upcoming schedule.

If the Hoops play like they did against their city rivals two weeks ago or like they did recently against Dundee then that match is not a foregone conclusion, despite the difference between the two sides on paper.

Step forward Tom Rogic, a man who is edging closer to a return from injury that has seen him ruled out since December.

Here are the THREE reasons why Rogic is the man to come in and deliver the treble for the Hoops…

 The team needs a different option in the final third

Celtic were at their best this season when they had Scott Sinclair rampaging down the flanks, Moussa Dembele battering defences up front and a certain Tom Rogic finding space just behind.

He adds a different dimension to this Celtic side through the middle, a clear and distinct different option to Sinclair’s play on the left.

Sinclair has of course been fantastic this season but if he’s off his game then suddenly Celtic are relying on the likes of James Forrest, who can be inconsistent, or Gary Mackay-Steven, who isn’t getting the job done to great effect.

As teams get increasingly used to the way Celtic play and have started to isolate Sinclair, re-introducing Rogic could be the shot in they arm they need to find their attacking swagger once again.

For the Rangers game in particular this could be big. He’s been missing from the previous two matches so bringing him back in time for that would provide a real tactical headache for new Rangers manager Pedro Caixinha.

His goal contribution is big

Tom Rogic is one of the five Celtic players on doubles figures for the season and he’s been a constant threat to opposition goalkeepers all season. In fact, only Leigh Griffiths and Moussa Dembele have a better goals to minutes played ratio this season, highlighting that Rogic is a level above the rest of the midfield when it comes to finding the back of the net.

Putting that goal threat back into the side could be massive and the difference between going the season unbeaten and not.

If Celtic again have Moussa Dembele, Scott Sinclair, Stuart Armstrong and Rogic back in the starting XI then they’ll be absolutely unstoppable on their march to the treble. Between the four of them they have scored a massive 72 goals so far this season.

He savours the big games

Tom Rogic is a big game player and after netting against Aberdeen in this season’s League Cup Final and against Rangers in last season’s Scottish Cup semi-final, has shown he isn’t afraid of the Hampden stage.

Generally Celtic’s players all manage to raise their game when big occasions come around but the last performance against Rangers at Celtic Park lacked a cutting edge.

Rogic provides that and has a ruthlessness to his game on these occasions that can be undeniable. It’s made him a fan favourite with Australian national team supporters and now he’s starting to show it at club level too.

Starting him in the games at Hampden could be the difference between winning the treble and this season becoming one of missed opportunity.

Fulham’s teenage wonderkid Ryan Sessegnon will surely be the Football League’s most sought-after commodity this summer.

The left-back is just 16 years of age but has already represented England at U19 level, scored against Premier League opposition in the form of FA Cup opponents Hull City and made 26 Championship appearances, playing a hand in six goals, amid the Cottagers’ incredibly convincing late promotion push.

Accordingly, Sessegnon is by no means short of suitors, with The Daily Mail claiming Arsenal, Chelsea, Manchester City, Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur have all watched him in action this season.

However, the British newspaper report that Liverpool hope to beat Tottenham and Manchester City particularly to Sessegnon’s signature and according to the results of our exclusive poll, this is a transfer battle Reds supporters desperately want to see their club win.

Indeed, we asked Liverpool fans earlier this week whether they’d back a summer swoop for Sessegnon and the result was a resounding yes, with 96% of the vote. We’re not convinced he’s quite ready to take over James Milner at left-back just yet, but the teenager looks a fantastic prospect for the future.

According to reports in the Daily Mail, Newcastle United are said to be eyeing a summer move for Southampton striker Jay Rodriguez following their return to the Premier League.

The Magpies promotion from the Championship was confirmed on Monday night when they beat Preston North End 4-1 at St James’ Park, and manager Rafa Benitez is already looking at the players he could bring to the club at the end of the season.

One of those individuals is said to be Rodriguez, who has been finding first team starts hard to come by under Saints boss Claude Puel as he struggles to recapture the form he showed before he ruptured his anterior cruciate ligament in 2014.

The Toon Army’s new top flight rivals West Bromwich Albion and Crystal Palace have also registered an interest in the 27-year-old who looks increasingly likely to leave St Mary’s.

Here are three reasons Newcastle should take a punt on Rodriguez…

He still has something to offer

Prior to his injury in 2014, Rodriguez was in brilliant form for Southampton and was in contention to be named in Roy Hodgson’s England squad for the 2014 World Cup having made his Three Lions debut shortly before.

Even though he has struggled since to get a consistent run in the team since then, he has shown glimpses even this season that he still has plenty to offer in the Premier League, and it could turn out to be a good move for both parties.

He’s a goalscorer

While Newcastle have scored plenty of goals in the Championship this season, they have sometimes relied too much on top goalscorer Dwight Gayle to find the back of the net.

Rafa Benitez will want to take some of the burden off of the former Crystal Palace man next term, and having scored 15 goals in 33 Premier League appearances in the 2013/14 campaign, Rodriguez has shown that he can be a regular scorer at this level.

He suits the counter attack

When Newcastle come up against some of the bigger sides in the Premier League next season, Rafa Benitez could choose to set his team up for the counter attack and it is something that would suit Rodriguez.

While he may not have the sharpness he had a few years ago, that could come with a consistent run in the starting line-up and that pace and incisiveness on the break could be crucial to helping the Magpies get results.

Do you agree, Magpies fans? Let us know below.