Martin Odegaard insists it was a “no-brainer” to become the latest Arsenal player to commit his future to the club and is now dreaming of leading his team-mates to trophy success. The 24-year-old Arsenal skipper has signed a new contract until 2028 as he follows in the footsteps of the likes of Bukayo Saka, Gabriel Martinelli and William Saliba in extending his Emirates Stadium deal. Odegaard has been pivotal to the club’s transformation into Premier League title challengers, leading by example with 15 goals and seven assists as the Gunners finished second to Manchester City last term. He has three goals in six appearances already this season and the club announced on Friday that the reward for such fine form was a new five-year deal. “It was an easy decision for me. As I said many times, I felt connected and I felt at home here since the first day,” said Odegaard, who initially joined on loan from Real Madrid in January 2021 before making the move permanent that summer. “Also I was moving around a lot and struggling to really settle down, so I felt like I needed a place to come and settle down and to kind of find a home. “That’s what I did here and I felt it from the first day, so it was easy for me to commit. I’m also excited for what we’re doing now and for the future, so I’m really happy.” Asked about several key players signing contract extensions in recent months, the Norway international added: “It just shows what we’re doing as a club. People want to be here as part of the project. “What we’re doing is really special and the players see what the manager wants to do and how the club is progressing, the connection we now have with the fans. “I think it’s a no-brainer for the players to be part of that. With so many hungry young players, it’s a great place to be. “Of course it’s a good thing. You see the players around you want to be a part of what we’re doing and it shows just how connected we are as a team. “All the players want the same thing, they want to stay for a long time and really fight for the club and win things together. It shows the family feeling we have.” While Arsenal topped the table for much of last season before ultimately being pipped by City, the need to win major silverware with such a talented squad is clear. Mikel Arteta won the FA Cup in his first season at the helm and Odegaard knows more is expected of the squad in the coming years. “I think you can see that now – even though we’re a young team, you can see the quality, the responsibility the players take,” he added. “Experience is not just about age. It’s also about what you’ve done. I think the young players we have already have a lot of experience. Of course we need to improve all the time. “But I’m sure with the mentality of all the team, the players, coaching staff, I’m sure we’re just going to get better and better. And I want to be part of that. It just shows what we’re doing as a club. People want to be here as part of the project Martin Odegaard “We have a bigger squad with more depth, we can play different ways and we will need the whole squad with so many competitions this season. I’m very confident in what we’re doing. “Of course I am thinking about it (lifting trophies as Arsenal captain). That is the big dream, the big goal, to win things with the club. “That’s why I have signed here as well, because I believe we can achieve some great things. That’s the big goal and I am sure if we work hard, we can get to something really nice.” Read More Charity boss speaks out over ‘traumatic’ encounter with royal aide Ukraine war’s heaviest fight rages in east - follow live Drive to increase women in golf remains in full swing Beth Potter on brink of Olympic dream after embracing ‘bonkers’ triathlon switch Fabian Edwards expects to shed ‘a little tear’ if Bellator title bid succeeds

Pakistan has sustained a big blow after its ace pace bowler Naseem Shah was ruled out of the Cricket World Cup due to a right shoulder injury

What the papers say The clock appears to be ticking on Jadon Sancho’s time at Manchester United. The Daily Star reports United are willing to sell the England winger, 23, in January for less than the £73million they paid Borussia Dortmund. Another winger is being linked to a move to Old Trafford, with Manchester United among several clubs keen on Club Brugge youngster Antonio Nusa. The Daily Express reports Arsenal and Chelsea are also interested in the 18-year-old Norwegian, who is valued around £30million. One forward not going anywhere is Son Heung-min. According to the Daily Telegraph, Tottenham are ready to trigger an option in the South Korean’s contract which will keep the 31-year-old at the club for a further year until 2026. There are comings and goings off the pitch at Tottenham. The Guardian reports chief scout Leonardo Gabbanini has left the club ahead of the appointment of a new sporting director. Social media round-up Players to watch Michail Antonio: Wolves, Everton and Nottingham Forest could step in if the 33-year-old striker fails to agree a new deal at West Ham. Khephren Thuram: Liverpool and Tottenham are among several top European clubs on the trail of Nice’s 22-year-old France midfielder. Read More Charity boss speaks out over ‘traumatic’ encounter with royal aide Ukraine war’s heaviest fight rages in east - follow live

England will take on Scotland in the first matchday of the inaugural Women’s Nations League on Friday. The fixture is the first between the two nations for four years, and comes just over a month since Sarina Wiegman’s side suffered heartbreak after narrowly missing out on World Cup success in what was another brilliant tournament from The Lionesses. They now face a clash with The Tartan Army in front of over 40,000 fans at The Stadium of Light, and the Scottish side will certainly be hoping to get one over the ‘Auld Enemy’ for the first time since 2011. Get all the latest football betting sites offers here. Uefa Women’s Nations League Explained The 2023 Uefa Women’s Nations League sees teams initially placed into either League A, B or C depending on their positions in the UEFA women’s national team coefficient rankings, which were issued after the group stage of the European Qualifiers for the 2023 World Cup had finished. Within these leagues, the teams were then seeded into four pots according to the same rankings, with each group containing one team from each pot. The initial league stage then features each team playing one home match and one away match against each of the other teams in their group, with the four group winners from League A then qualifying for the knockout stage of the competition. At stake are league positions for the European Qualifiers for Euro 2025. The top two teams in each group in League A will remain in the same league for the qualifiers, along with the five group winners of League B who will be promoted. The rest of League A will then enter a playoff system to remain in the division with the runners-up of each group in League B. The reward for the top eight teams in League A according to the final European Qualifiers league ranking will be direct qualification for EURO 2025, with the other teams having to contest another set of playoffs for the remaining seven places (hosts Switzerland have a guaranteed place). The teams that make it to the final of the Nations League will also qualify for the 2024 Women’s Olympic Football Tournament, alongside hosts France. When is England vs Scotland? The first matchday in the League Stage of the Women’s Nations League kicks off on 21 September and finishes with a clash between the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland on 23 September 2023. England v Scotland will take place at the Stadium of Light on Friday 22 September, with kick-off at 7.45pm BST. Where can I watch it? England v Scotland will be shown live on ITV/STV, with coverage starting at 7.30 pm BST. The game will also be streamed online via the ITVX / STV player. If you’re travelling abroad and want to watch the event, you might need a VPN to unblock your streaming app. Our VPN round-up is here to help and includes deals on VPNs in the market. Viewers using a VPN need to make sure that they comply with any local regulations where they are and also with the terms of their service provider. What is the team news? England: Aston Villa defender Lucy Parker replaces the injured Lotte Meuben-Woy for the hosts. Keria Walsh and Beth England have both also been ruled out, while Beth Mead has not been deemed ready for inclusion after recently returning to training following an ACL injury. Fran Kirby has returned from injury and featured in friendlies this month, but has also been left out of the squad. Scotland: Real Madrid star Caroline Weir, and WSL Player of the Year nominee Kirsty Hanson provide strong options for Pedro Martinez Losa. Kirsty Maclean, Lauren Davidson and Emma Watson also provide a trio of young talent likely to feature against England. The 17 year-old Watson has achieved five goal contributions in her first four games for Scotland. Read More Sarina Wiegman ‘worried’ about schedule as England prepare for Nations League Football rumours: Jadon Sancho set for cut-price January sale Roberto De Zerbi happy with Brighton players despite defeat to AEK Athens Football rumours: Jadon Sancho set for cut-price January sale Roberto De Zerbi happy with Brighton players despite defeat to AEK Athens Kudos for Mohammed Kudus as West Ham boss David Moyes reflects on comeback win

Dealing with a team as talented as the San Francisco 49ers is difficult enough in the best of circumstances

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Tarik Skubal had a season-high 10 strikeouts in seven strong innings for his fourth consecutive win, and the Detroit Tigers handed the Athletics their eighth consecutive loss, beating Oakland 7-3

Jaxson Dart is thriving as Mississippi’s starting quarterback after fighting off an offseason challenge from transfers

Ramón Laureano drew a bases-loaded walk off Jacob Webb for the go-ahead run in the eighth inning, sending the Cleveland Guardians to a 5-2 victory over the AL East-leading Baltimore Orioles

Christian McCaffrey scored a touchdown in his 12th straight game, Brock Purdy threw two TD passes and the San Francisco 49ers won their 13th straight regular season game, 30-12 over the New York Giants

Anthony Nesty has made more history with his selection to lead the U.S. men’s swimming team at the Paris Olympics

After one loss in a row runaway Formula One leader Max Verstappen is confident he can get back to his winning ways at this weekend’s Japanese Grand Prix