LiveScore Daily: Today’s football news in bite-sized chunks

LiveScore Daily is here to deliver all the big talking points from the world of football throughout the day. Keep refreshing this page for the latest stories in bite-sized chunks.

Eddie ready to shine

Mikel Arteta heaped praise on his stand-in striker Eddie Nketiah after the forward bagged a brace in Arsenal’s 3-0 FA Cup win at Oxford last night.

It took the 23-year-old’s tally to five goals in as many games, having found himself thrust into the Gunners’ central striker berth due to Gabriel Jesus’ World Cup injury woes.

Arteta said: "Obviously he’s been waiting for this moment. He’s been patient when he needed to be but as well he’s been with the right mindset and preparing himself for this moment.

"That’s why I think he looks ready and why he’s performing the way he is. He showed great composure.

"He’s a great finisher, the timing of his runs and the decision-making in waiting until the last moment when the keeper was committed shows his quality.

"His understanding, his work-rate, I think he’s getting better and better."

Nketiah will have the chance to extend his hot streak when Arsenal head to bitter rivals Tottenham on Sunday in a tasty North London derby.

Big response

Steve Cooper is demanding a reaction from his Nottingham Forest side against Wolves tomorrow night following a humiliating FA Cup exit at Blackpool.

Forest were thumped 4-1 by the struggling Championship outfit last Saturday, leading a furious Cooper to brand the performance "unacceptable" in his post-match press duties.

Now, the East Midlanders have the perfect opportunity to put that horror show behind them in their first League Cup quarter-final for 29 years.

Cooper said: "With the mentality we are growing at this club at the moment with this group of players, that was what we don’t want to be. 

"But the players knew that, and at the same time, as disappointing as it was, I’m not so narrow-minded to think it’s like that every day with these players.

"It’s not, and because of that, I have to trust them that they don’t let that happen again, and we move forward going into the next game and try to pick the right team to play the game plan that’s needed to be a success against Wolves."

Cooper also admitted he is dealing with "quite a few doubts" ahead of the City Ground clash, though did not expand on the players in question. 

Gareth got it right

Wales boss Rob Page believes Gareth Bale has chosen the correct time to bring the curtain down on his playing career.

The legendary winger, 33, made the announcement via his social media channels yesterday after a telephone conversation with his national coach.

Page, 48, explained: "I told him I think it’s the right time to bow out. You’ve just scored in a World Cup and got everything on your CV, what you’ve done for this country is unbelievable.

"There’s a mixture of emotions for me. I’m excited now because it’s an opportunity to get some of the young ones through — players like Brennan Johnson to take the opportunity and step up to the plate — and get the next Gareth Bale.

"But there’s also a hint of sadness because it’s the last time we’ll see Gareth Bale putting a pair of boots on for Wales."

The Dragons boss also hinted that there could be space for Bale in his backroom setup in the near future.

Page added: "I would love him still to be involved in some capacity, what that role is, [I] don’t know yet.

"It’s a big adjustment for him, going into a normal-ish life, but we’ll have another conversation with him in a few weeks."

Tell me why

Wolves have written to PGMOL chief and former referee Howard Webb demanding an explanation over their VAR controversy against Liverpool.

Julen Lopetegui's side will now face the Reds in an FA Cup third round replay after a thrilling 2-2 draw at Anfield, where they saw a late winning goal chalked off for offside.

Footage on social media after the game appeared to show Matheus Nunes in an onside position, leading a furious Lopetegui to pursue the matter further.

The Spanish coach said: "Of course I have seen the images on the internet. I have my opinion, we have sent our comments and we are waiting for an explanation.

"I talked after the match and now we have sent our comments but it’s very clear something has happened."

The replay is scheduled for Tuesday, January 17.

Latics land Azeez

Arsenal youngster Miguel Azeez has joined Championship basement boys Wigan on loan until the end of the season. 

An England youth international, 20-year-old midfielder Azeez spent the first half of the campaign with Spanish second tier outfit Ibiza.

Now he links up with former Gunners defender Kolo Toure at the DW Stadium, who has yet to win any of his first six matches in charge of the Lancashire side.

Special anniversary

Wembley Stadium is calling on fans to share their most cherished memories ahead of the arena’s 100th birthday later this year.

April 28 will mark exactly a century since England’s national ground opened its doors and there are plans in the works to celebrate the occasion.

Stadium director Liam Boylan said: "Wembley is an iconic landmark that defines English culture and history.

"It holds a position in the national psyche as much as places like Buckingham Palace, Stonehenge and the Houses of Parliament.

"Over the next 12 months we want to celebrate that fact and look forward to another 100 years of fantastic, history making defining moments."

Anyone who submits a memorable moment will be entered into a prize draw to win one of three pairs of VIP tickets for any Wembley event between April 1 and December 31.

You can enter here.

Wil to succeed

Manchester City starlet Josh Wilson-Esbrand has joined Championship side Coventry until the end of the season.

The 20-year-old defender has been a regular in the Citizens' first-team squad this term, featuring in Champions League ties against Copenhagen and Sevilla, after making his debut last season in the Carabao Cup clash with Wycombe.

Born in Hackney, Wilson-Esbrand came through the youth ranks at West Ham before joining the English champions in 2019.

Coventry followed the announcement with confirmation that local businessman Doug King has finally become the club's majority shareholder.

It is hoped that King's takeover will mark the end of a turbulent period off the field for the Sky Blues.