Monaco coach Leonardo Jardim expects Colombia striker Radamel Falcao to make his long-awaited comeback from injury at the Emirates Stadium this coming weekend.
The 28-year-old has spent the summer stepping up his recovery and looks set to run out for Monaco for the first time in six months when they tackle Valencia – and then potentially either Arsenal or Benfica – at the Emirates Cup tournament.
Jardim told L’Equipe: “I think he will be able to start playing again at the Emirates Cup. He is now in the final phase of his recuperation.”
Arsenal lose 1-0 to New York in friendly
Arsenal suffered a 1-0 defeat against the New York Red Bulls at the Red Bull Arena in Harrison in a match featuring former Gunners favourite Thierry Henry for the opposition.
Arsene Wenger fielded a strong Arsenal starting line-up but they fell behind to a Bradley Wright-Phillips opener just after the half-hour mark as he slotted home after Ambroise Oyongo headed down Henry’s corner.
Jack Wilshere came close to netting an equaliser minutes later with a great effort on target, but the England midfielder was denied by goalkeeper Luis Robles.
Defender Arribas agrees Sevilla move
Former Osasuna defender Alejandro Arribas has agreed to sign a two-year contract with Sevilla, pending the result of medical examinations.
The 25-year-old centre-back from Madrid is a free agent having recently terminated his contract with relegated Osasuna.
A statement published on Sevilla’s official website said Arribas would travel to the Andalusian club’s pre-season training camp in Neuruppin, Germany, after passing a medical and putting pen to paper.
Sevilla were rebuffed in a bid to sign Arribas, who made 70 league appearances in two seasons with Osasuna, last summer.
CSKA lift Russian Super Cup
CSKA Moscow won their sixth Russian Super Cup with a 3-1 win over nine-man Rostov in Krasnodar.
The cup winners took the lead in the 37th minute through Hrvoje Milic but Pontus Wernbloom equalised 11 minutes into the second half.
Alexandru Gatcan was given his marching orders just after the hour and when Kanga Guelor followed him to the dressing room two minutes later, Rostov knew they were facing a tough final half-hour.
And so it proved with Zoran Tosic and Seydou Doumbia finding the back of the net to hand the Premier League champions a second consecutive Super Cup.
Everton boss upbeat over Lukaku bid
Everton manager Roberto Martinez is confident of securing the services of Belgian striker Romelu Lukaku on a permanent deal.
Lukaku, who has also been linked with Juventus and Wolfsburg, spent last season on loan at Goodison Park from Chelsea, scoring 15 Premier League goals in 31 appearances.
A video posted on Youtube shows Martinez apparently telling Everton fans that Romelu Lukaku will sign for the club.
Everton are currently on tour in Thailand and, when asked by a supporter if there was a possibility of the club re-signing the 21-year-old, Martinez replied: “Of course, we’ll get him.”
Lazio step up De Vrij interest
Lazio have stepped up their efforts to sign Feyenoord defender Stefan De Vrij who is also wanted by Manchester United, according to reports in the Italian media.
The Serie A club have been trying to get the Dutch centre-back for months but their initial €7 million offer was turned down by Feyenoord for being “too low.”
Manchester United have long been seen as favourites to land De Vrij but according to Corriere dello Sport that situation could change.
The newspaper reported that Lazio are ready to improve their bid to meet Feyenoord’s asking price of €9 million.
Fiorentina linked with Fernando
Shakhtar Donetsk midfielder Fernando is considering a move to Fiorentina, according to the Brazilian player’s agent.
The 22-year-old, whose full name is Fernando Lucas Martins, is desperate to quit Shakhtar due to the unstable political situation in Ukraine.
“Fernando to Fiorentina? That could happen,” the player’s representative Jorge Machado told Calciomercato.com.
“It is a possibility at this moment. We’ll see what happens over the next few days.”
Shakhtar Donetsk have reportedly placed a €9 million price tag on the former Gremio talent.