It’s that time of year again. Following the Merseyside Derby last night, fans of the beautiful game have to wait a whole WEEK to see their teams in action again as the football calendar takes a break for the Christmas festivities.Of course, this is the time that you are forced (well, in some cases anyway) to spend time with your family, when you’d much rather be at a match or watching one on TV.While you have presents (hopefully some football-related gifts) and more food than you can humanly manage to distract you on Christmas Day, if you can’t handle the wait until Boxing Day for your fix then we have a festive tradition to keep you occupied – a good old Christmas Cracker.Indeed, this Xmas-in-one-gallery includes a classic football-based teaser, a randomly picked but nonetheless scintillating wonder-strike and an intriguing statistic to impress the family with around the Christmas table.So, without further ado, have a pull on Arsenal’s Christmas Cracker!

The Teaser

Who are the EIGHT current Arsenal first-team players to have also played their football in Spain?

A very tricky teaser – so we’ll give you one clue. One of the players is actually out on loan from the Gunners this season.

Click through to the last page to reveal the answers.

The wonder-strike – Electric Eduardo

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger may not have seen the League Cup as aÂpriority back in 2007 after naming an inexperienced XI to come up against Sheffield United at Bramall Lane with a place in the quarter-finals at stake, but his young side – along with a couple of senior players – didn’t let him down.

Kieran Gibbs made his first-team debut at the age of 18 but it was Croatian striker Eduardo who showed how it was done by putting the visitors in the lead with a great strike from outside the box – relieving some of the pressure on the teenagers in the starting XI.

The forward arrowed the ball into the top corner with his left foot in the eighth minute with Wenger’s men going on to record a comfortable 3-0 victory that saw them through to the last eight.

The Stat

Arsenal have a new-found lack of mental strength it seems, especially if the last week is anything to go by.

Despite taking 1-0 leads against Everton and Manchester City at Goodison Park and the Etihad Stadium respectively, they surrendered those advantages to lose 2-1 in both games, meaning they have already surpassed their record of losing games from winning positions from last term, when they finished second.

Arsene Wenger will know that they can’t too many more slip-ups if they are going to challenge for the Premier League title this season.

The Answer – Gabriel, Lucas Perez, Alexis Sanchez, Mesut Ozil, Nacho Monreal, Santi Cazorla, Shkodran Mustafi and Joel Campbell.

It’s the moment you’ve all been waiting for – the answer to our tricky Christmas teaser. Did you manage to get all of them?

As you can see, the Gunners certainly have their fair share of players with experience of playing in the Spanish league, with Gabriel and Joel Campbell having appeared for Villarreal, Lucas Perez for Rayo Vallecano and Deportiva La Coruna, Alexis Sanchez for Barcelona, Mesut Ozil for Real Madrid, Nacho Monreal for Osasuna and Malaga, Santi Cazorla for Villarreal, Recreativo Huelva and Malaga and, finally, Shkodran Mustafi for Valencia.

Yannick Bolasie’s horror injury sustained in a clash with Anthony Martial against Manchester United has more than likely ended his season.

In fact, as reported by BBC Sport, Ronald Koeman says the winger could be out for another 12 months. That’s a massive setback for the attacker and Everton, who invested heavily in him last summer.

It leaves the Dutch manager with a big dilemma in this month’s January transfer window. Does he spend big to ensure a quality replacement, even after splashing out on former Charlton Athletic youngster Adeloma Lookman?

Everton fans will of course want to see some money on the table, fearful that the club are not going forward under Koeman. Big names help appease those fears, so bringing in a fairly well-known player would certainly give the home support a boost.

With that in mind, here are FOUR big-name replacements for Yannick Bolasie that can make an impact at Goodison Park…

Memphis Depay

Memphis Depay has been struggling for games at Manchester United since the arrival of Jose Mourinho in the summer, but is still an intelligent and deadly winger on his day.

That makes him a great fit for a side like Everton, who can offer him first team football and the chance to prove he has what it takes to be a hit in the Premier League.

The attacker has only made one start for the Red Devils all season, in the EFL Cup, and even then found himself substituted after 55 minutes.

Mourinho clearly doesn’t rate him but that’s no disgrace with the likes of Marcus Rashford, Juan Mata and Anthony Martial all options for the Old Trafford side.

His dribbling ability and aptitude for a shot from distance would be valuable assets to Everton, and could provide a badly-needed cutting edge in the final third to compliment Romelu Lukaku.

Manolo Gabbiadini

While not an out-and-out winger, Napoli’s Gabbiadini can certainly operate on the flanks. With Bolasie’s injury, if Koeman can secure another quality forward, he might even favour playing both Lukaku and a player like Gabbiadini through the middle.

That would be an exciting prospect for Everton fans who have been somewhat frustrated with the lack of attacking ambition from Koeman’s side so far this season.

The Napoli forward has Champions League experience this term but, like Depay, isn’t getting as much game time as he would like.

He’s scored four times in 18 appearances but has found the net in each of his last two games for the club. A move to the Premier League where attacking football reigns, and space is left for players like Gabbiadini to operate in, could be just the ticket.

Andriy Yarmolenko

Ukranian international Andriy Yarmolenko would be an exciting signing that could immediately make an impact on the right wing for Everton.

A ten-year veteran at Dynamo Kiev, it’s the perfect time for the 27-year-old to seek a career in a bigger league, due to come into his absolute prime as a player.

That has never been more evident than in Kiev’s recent stunning 6-0 victory over Turkish giants Besiktas. The winger scored once and assisted twice in a man of the match performance that ensured his side exited the competition with pride intact.

A regular for Ukraine, he’s scored 29 goals in 67 appearances at international level and already has three goals in 2018 World Cup Qualifying.

Jesus Navas

Jesus Navas’ contract is up in the summer and although he’d likely demand big wages, he could help Koeman’s cause at Goodison massively, being both a big name and a player that is unlikely to require a large transfer fee.

The winger has been an effective option off the bench for Manchester City this season but hasn’t been a regular starter under Pep Guardiola.

However, the former Sevilla man still offers plenty of pace and guile in the wide areas and has the ability to deliver a fantastic cross – very beneficial if you have the likes of Romelu Lukaku in the middle to stick the ball in the back of the net.

Southampton completely dominated Liverpool in the first leg of the EFL Cup semi-final at St Mary’s on Wednesday night, but fans are concerned that their one-goal advantage may not be enough to reach the final.

Claude Puel’s side took the lead after 20 minutes when Nathan Redmond slotted home from 10 yards out following a miss-kick from Liverpool defender Ragnar Klavan.

In truth, the Saints could have scored a further two or three goals as they tried to make the most of their opponent’s poor display, but they failed to convert.

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Liverpool saw most of the ball with 68% possession, but Southampton had five shots on target, two more than their counterparts on the night.

The problem for the Saints, though, is that Liverpool cannot be worse than they were on Wednesday when they host the second leg at Anfield on January 25.

Of course, Puel’s men are capable of maintaining their advantage and sealing a place in the final, but they face a difficult task when they travel to Merseyside.

Football fans took to Twitter to express their thoughts, with many claiming that Southampton may rue their missed opportunities.

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New Year has just ticked over and Arsenal are fifth in the Premier League title race. Happy, Arsenal fans? I thought not.

The Gunners have perhaps looked the best they have in years this season, putting in some terrific performances, especially at the start of the season, however, they still sit outside of the Champions League spots and a good eight points behind league leaders and London rivals Chelsea.

It appears it may be another season of aiming for the top four while hoping for success in one of the domestic trophies for Arsene Wenger’s men unless they are able to kick on and rediscover the dazzling form they displayed early on in the season.

One thing that is for sure, however, is that if the Gunners are really to mount a title challenge come May time, they absolutely need to hang on to their key men. Much has been talked about regarding the possible departures of star turns Alexis Sanchez and Mesut Ozil, but letting go of them is 100% not an option if Arsenal really want to compete with England and Europe’s best.

While hanging on to that magic pair may be a must, keeping this lot is not so. Here are FOUR players the club should let go of this winter…

Aaron Ramsey

Aaron Ramsey, besides being injured less often and having had at least one outstanding season for Arsenal, is, unfortunately, the Welsh Jack Wilshere – a player that promised so much at a young age, but has never quite managed to live up to the expectation that preceded him.

He does have an impressive six assists to his name this season, however, he only has two goals, and has frankly been outclassed by Arsene Wenger’s other options in the middle of the park, namely Granit Xhaka, Francis Coquelin and Santi Cazorla. A number of big clubs would still – mistakenly, some may argue – be willing to pay a big fee for the playmaker, so could it be time to cash in?

Per Mertesacker

Arsenal finally seem to have found a centre-half pairing that works in the form of Shkodran Mustafi and Laurent Koscielny. On the premise that neither are injured, the German and the Frenchman have formed a partnership that will rarely be broken up.

As a back-up to the first choice starters, Arsene Wenger has Brazilian Gabriel Paulista and youngster Rob Holding as his stand-in men, both of whom are capable of doing a job, especially the latter who has impressed when given the opportunity. That leaves little space for Per Mertesacker, who despite his qualities, lacks the pace and physical prowess to succeed in the Premier League.

Mathieu Debuchy

The Frenchman was always an odd signing for Arsenal. Snapped up from Newcastle in the summer of 2014, Debuchy has only made three Premier League appearances the last 18 months. Yes, he did spend six months of that time on loan at Ligue 1 side Bordeaux, but still.

Two-and-a-half years in total and only 23 appearances, many of them from the substitutes’ bench, does not exactly look good for the former Lille man. Arsene Wenger may hang on to him in due to the chance of injury to Hector Bellerin and Carl Jenkinson, but if you ask me, it’s better to say goodbye now before his market value further deteriorates – he is now 31.

With both clubs losing in the mid-week Premier League action, Sunday’s match at St. Mary’s is a key fixture for Southampton and West Ham United.

In September, Claude Puel’s side travelled to the London Stadium and humiliated the Irons, thumping them 3-0 thanks to goals from Charlie Austin, Dusan Tadic and Virgil van Dijk.

Over the last six matches, however, their head-to-head is fairly equal with Saints winning three, West Ham winning two and the other game ending in a 0-0 draw at St. Mary’s.

Saturday’s match-up is likely to be keenly contested with the two squads similar in ability on paper and both clubs having indifferent seasons.

Bilic’s side are in better form having won three of their last six Premier League fixtures, with Southampton only picking up one in the same time frame. Just one point separates the teams in the table, however, so a lot is at stake.

These are the THREE key battles that will decide the outcome of Saturday’s 3pm kickoff…

Jack Stephens vs. Andy Carroll

With Virgil van Dijk ruled out for up to two months due to an ankle injury sustained at home to Leicester, it has fallen on 23-year-old Jack Stephens to step up to the plate. That’s been easier said than done for the inexperienced centre-back.

Saints have conceded seven goals in their last two games with him at the back but after failing to add any defenders to his squad in the January transfer window, Claude Puel doesn’t have a multitude of options to replace him with.

That sets the stage for Andy Carroll to continue his recent goal splurge upon his trip to St. Mary’s. The big striker has scored three in his last three matches and looked at his very best in the Irons’ recent trip to Middlesbrough.

He’ll fancy going up against Stephens and the Saints defender must raise his game if they’re going to have any chance of a victory.

Shane Long vs. Jose Fonte

Saturday will be a strange occasion for Jose Fonte. He became something of a legend at St. Mary’s and his move to West Ham in January was likely an emotional one for him. He spent seven-and-a-half seasons on the south coast, guiding the club from League One to the Premier League.

The Portuguese defender struggled on his debut against Manchester City but has the opportunity to prove he still has the ability required to play at top level when he visits his old club.

In a positive for the Hammers, he’ll have the inside scoop on the striker he’s likely to face; Shane Long.

Claude Puel signed Serie A striker Manolo Gabbiadini on Deadline Day but it’s unclear whether he’s ready to feature from the start, so Long is the man we’re expecting to lead the line.

Long had a frustrating start to the season, rarely featuring for Puel, but he’s seen a recent uptick in form and has scored three of his four goals this season in his last five appearances.

That makes Saturday’s battle between the striker and his former teammate a very intriguing one. If Fonte can keep the Irishman quiet, then Southampton have little goal threat elsewhere in the team.

Ryan Bertrand vs. Michail Antonio

Versatile Michail Antonio has played an extraordinary number of roles for the Hammers this season. Depending on how Bilic lines up his side, the red hot Englishman could be deployed on the right wing, at right back, on the left or even through the middle as a striker.

He’s been most effective for the Irons on the right hand side so it’s Ryan Bertrand who’ll likely have the biggest headache in the Southampton side on Saturday.

Antonio has scored eight and assisted three in the Premier League this season, a key attacking threat that has at times won points single-handed.

Bertrand isn’t having quite as good a season and needs to raise his performance levels or will risk being overrun by West Ham’s star man.

If Antonio can get in behind the Southampton defence, then it could be a long afternoon for the home supporters.

As reported by The Express, both Manchester City and Everton are hoping to sign Sunderland’s goalkeeping star Jordan Pickford this summer.

What’s the word?

Despite him being out with a knee injury, Sunderland can’t keep the speculation around their star goalkeeper away and the Black Cats face a battle to keep a hold of him.

The Express say that City and Everton have been keeping tabs on the 22 year old all season and are ready to make their move this summer.

Pickford is said to be keen on playing Premier League football next season and will look to force a move away from the club if Sunderland are relegated to the Championship in May, according to the paper.

That leaves the door open for the Citizens and the Toffees who have both failed to find a consistent and reliable goalkeeper this term.

Worth the fuss?

Pickford has emerged as one of England’s top talents between the sticks this season after years out on loan at lower league clubs learning his trade.

Representing his nation at six different age groups, Pickford is tipped as a potential future England regular. He received his first call up to the squad for October’s qualifier vs. Slovenia but didn’t get any game time.

A move to Manchester City or Everton would only enhance his reputation and if he can break into the first team at either club, perhaps a regular start for Gareth Southgate’s side is inevitable.

The young goalkeeper has been out of action since December but should return to the Sunderland first team soon and if he can stay fit and healthy, a big move in the summer seems like the logical next step in his career.

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Ronald Koeman’s name has been heavily linked with Barcelona this week, following Luis Enrique’s shock revelation that he would be leaving the Spanish giants this summer to take a break from football.

Enrique’s departure will leave the La Liga leaders chasing a new man to lead the helm and Koeman has been mentioned a lot due to his links with Barcelona- as he spent six successful years there as a player and also worked in the coaching staff.

However, speaking ahead of this weekend’s clash with Tottenham Hotspur, Koeman assured fans that he is focused on the job in hand at Everton- having only joined the Toffees last summer.

Quoted by The Daily Mail when asked if he’s focused on building success at Everton, the Dutchman said:

‘Of course. Every word from my side about Barcelona is too much.’

Koeman was then asked for his thoughts on Enrique’s impending exit, to which he responded:

‘I don’t speak about Barcelona.’

Whilst the words are reassuring, Koeman could find it difficult to turn down the Spanish giants if they did come calling this summer but the fact he’s only recently taken the position at Goodison Park certainly works in the Toffees’ favour.

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West Ham United produced a late charge to come from an early goal down at Vicarage Road on Saturday and rescue a point against Watford.

For a long period of the game the Hornets held on to their narrow lead, the result of a Troy Deeney penalty, but eventually the pressure from Slaven Bilic’s men paid off and Andre Ayew equalised to have the match finish 1-1.

It was deserved point for the Irons and in truth they could’ve picked up the victory but a late red card for Michail Antonio halted their late momentum and allowed Watford to rally for the final five minutes and hold on for the point.

The game was marred in the first half by a serious injury to Mauro Zarate and Watford boss Walter Mazzarri is awaiting scans to find out the extent of his problems. Given he was stretchered off, it’s not looking good for Watford’s new signing.

An engrossing game from start to finish there was plenty to take from the match.

Here are FIVE lessons that we learned during the 1-1 draw…

West Ham really miss Andy Carroll

It was clear throughout the 90 minutes that West Ham United lacked a cutting edge in the final third and that was most likely due to the lack of Andy Carroll, who missed the match due to a continuation of his recent niggling groin problems.

It’s not an ideal situation for Bilic. There’s no doubt Carroll is a very effective striker for the Irons when fit but because of his constant fitness issues it may be a problem that Bilic has to fix in the summer.

Regardless, he was a big miss on Saturday and Hammers fans must be hoping to see a return from the big England striker next week. He’ll be needed against Chelsea.

The Hammers are very resilient

One of the most impressive hallmarks of Slaven Bilic’s side is their ability to play until the very final of the moments of a match in search of a result. That’s true whether the match hangs in the balance or whether they have already gone a goal down.

Losing goals doesn’t phase this Hammers team and that was again shown on Saturday. They could have easily collapsed given they conceded in just the third minute but they kept themselves in the match, grew in confidence and by the end looked like the most likely winners.

That resiliency continues to serve them well and is one of the reasons why the team must retain Bilic into next season despite things not quite going to plan this term.

Watford can’t stop conceding

Watford have now only kept one clean sheet in their last 16 Premier League games. That’s defensive form you’d expect to see from relegation contenders but it’s a credit to Watford’s team performances that they are still managing to pick up enough results to stay well clear of any relegation drama.

They will have been disappointed to concede so late in the game against West Ham but it was perhaps inevitable with the way their defence has been performing.

Antonio is still the man

Michail Antonio was again the driving force of West Ham’s performance. It was his shot that provided the opportunity for Andre Ayew to equalise after it bounced off both posts. Despite being dismissed five minutes from half-time for a second yellow card, he was probably man of the match. Everything good the Irons produced he was at the heart of.

He missed a couple of chances but without him, it’s unlikely West Ham would’ve had the energy in the final third needed to get a result.

A good result for both sides

While the draw is not ideal for either side, it’s also not a disaster and both teams moved up position in the table at the expense of teams who have played a  game less than they have. It will have felt more like a defeat for Watford due to the nature of the result but in hindsight they can look back on this as a decent point earned.

Similarly, Slaven Bilic can’t be too disappointed with a draw after conceding a silly goal so early and having their late attacks stifled by a sending off.

There we have it, Bournemouth’s Tyrone Mings has been banned for five games following his clash with Manchester United’s Zlatan Ibrahimovic in the sides’ 1-1 draw last weekend.

Both players were charged with violent conduct retrospectively following the match, and while ‘Ibra’s’ Red Devils accepted his punishment, the Cherries appealed, which has not had the desired effect.

Mings will now miss the next quintet of the south coast side’s games, which will come as a real blow given that they are just five points above the relegation zone.

They will play West Ham, Swansea, Southampton, Liverpool and Chelsea without the former Ipswich Town defender, all of which could be vital matches for them, especially the Swans clash given both teams’ proximity to the bottom three.

With this being such big news and a story that has gripped many, there has been quite the outcry on Twitter…

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Former Leeds United target Massimo Coda will consider his options at the end of the season, reports Tuttomercatoweb.

What’s the word?

Last summer, Solo Salerno reported that officials from Leeds held talks with Coda’s camp in the hope of sealing a last-minute deal.

The move did not transpire before the deadline, but news of the 28-year-old’s current situation could attract the attention of the Whites.

Coda’s agent Giuseppe Galli has revealed that he and his client will speak with the player’s current Serie B club Salernitana at the end of the season.

If the two parties are not on the same page with regards to the future, then it appears that Coda will be looking elsewhere.

Tuttomercatoweb quotes Galli as saying:

“In January, there were several requests. We will meet with the club in the summer over its project for next season and then we will see what to do.”

Should Leeds revive their interest?

The club’s transfer strategy is likely to alter depending on how they finish the season.

If Garry Monk guides the club back into the Premier League then they should try to target players with experience at the top level.

If Leeds fail to earn promotion then they need the calibre of player who can fight it out in a renewed bid.

Coda currently plays his football in Italy’s second tier, and he has scored 13 goals in 29 league appearances.

With Chris Wood leading Leeds’ attack, any new striker that comes in will either be used as an option or to challenge for the main role.

As it stands, 28-year-old Coda is not the man to dominate Monk’s attack and he could struggle against Premier League opposition if Leeds make it back into the top flight.

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