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Unai Emery hailed Rob Holding’s “perfect” return from long-term injury after Arsenal cruised into the Carabao Cup fourth round by hammering Nottingham Forest 5-0.

Centre-back Holding, out for more than nine months with a serious knee problem, nodded home to double the Gunners’ advantage as they blitzed Sky Bet Championship Forest with four goals in the final 19 minutes.

Seconds before his towering 71st-minute header, the 24-year had taken the captain’s armband from the substituted Mesut Ozil.

Brazilian 18-year-old Gabriel Martinelli started and finished the scoring at the Emirates Stadium with his first Arsenal goals on his full debut, with academy graduates Joe Willock and Reiss Nelson also on target after Emery changed his entire starting XI for the tie.

Speaking about Holding, who was injured at Manchester United on December 5, Emery said: “Every day in training he helps us to have more performances like a team. He needed to take minutes, take confidence.

“And I think tonight – the first match after playing with the under-23s – is perfect. He was a little tired at the end of the match but he scored and he’s happy tonight and we’re happy for him.”

Emery used the fixture to hand a debut to £25million summer signing Kieran Tierney, available after arriving from Celtic with a groin problem, while substitute Hector Bellerin joined Holding in returning from a long-standing knee issue.

Bellerin marked his return with the assist for Willock’s goal, moments after replacing impressive left-back Tierney in the 77th minute.

Despite losing 19-year-old forward Emile Smith Rowe to a first-half head injury, Emery was left to reflect on an extremely positive evening.

He said: “It was an opportunity for different players to take confidence, to take minutes. The game was for us in 90 minutes very consistent.

“Some different players gave us the performance, also coming back after injuries of Holding, Kieran Tierney, Hector Bellerin.

“And I think it was a good match, a good result, a clean sheet, there are a lot of pleasing things and we can be positive with different options for the next matches.”

Speaking about Smith Rowe, he added: “It was for a precaution we changed him. I’m thinking he’s not going to be a serious problem.”

Emery was also left purring at the performance of Martinelli, whose only previous appearance since joining from Brazilian club Ituano in the summer was a six-minute cameo at Newcastle on the opening weekend of the season.

“Martinelli is a very young player but he came here and we were waiting and watching him, how he could improve with us,” said Emery.

“He played very well. He was working each training with a big spirit and with a big performance.

“I spoke with him to have some patience to get his opportunity to play, to do like he was doing in training and in the matches in pre-season and tonight he did that and really he deserved it because he’s a very humble player.

“He fights, he is hungry to have that opportunity to help us and his work was perfect tonight.”

Nottingham Forest boss Sabri Lamouchi, who suffered a first defeat since the opening weekend of the season, admitted his side were second best but felt the final scoreline flattered the hosts.

Forest, backed by almost 8,400 fans, managed only one attempt on target in 90 minutes in their first visit to Arsenal since a 2-1 top-flight loss in August 1998.

“We deserved to lose but five, for me, is too much,” said the Frenchman.

“You play tonight against one of the best four, best six teams in the Premier League, top players. Nothing to add.

“Congratulations to Arsenal and good luck for the rest of this competition.”

Marcelo Bielsa and Leeds were surprise winners at the Best FIFA awards on Monday.

To the bemusement of many fans who have not always associated Leeds or Bielsa with fair play, the veteran Argentinian and his players were awarded the Fair Play Award for allowing Aston Villa to score against them in April.

Angry scenes broke out after Mateusz Klich scored for Leeds while Villa’s Jonathan Kodjia lay injured on the field. Bielsa insisted Leeds, despite the attempts of former defender Pontus Jansson to stop them, allow Villa to score immediately from the kick-off.

Captain Liam Cooper and fitness coach Benoit Delaval collected the award on Bielsa’s behalf at the ceremony in Milan.

The renowned coach, currently in his second season at Leeds and in English football, caused something of a stir in January when he admitted to having watched all of United’s opponents train.

The club was fined £200,000 as a result – a penalty Bielsa paid out of his own pocket – and the 64-year-old was the subject of some derision as a result.

Dubbed as ‘Spygate’, the topic was not far from conversation in the wake of Bielsa’s award, as Gary Lineker tweeted a spy emoji in reply to the announcement, while on Radio 5 Live, a disbelieving Chris Sutton asked: “Do previous misdemeanours not count?”

Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp has signed up to the Common Goal movement, he announced after being named men’s coach of the year at the Best FIFA awards.

The initiative, in which members donate one per cent of their salary to a charity which funds organisations around the world that use football to tackle social issues, was launched by Manchester United and Spain midfielder Juan Mata in 2017

Speaking on stage at the glitzy ceremony in Milan, Klopp said: “I’m really proud and happy that I can announce that from today on I am a member of the Common Goal family.”

Having then received a round of applause, the German said: “A few people obviously know it – if not, Google it. It’s a great thing.”

Quoted on the Common Goal website, Klopp elaborated: “While it is flattering to receive an individual award today, in football and in life, nothing is possible without teamwork.

“That is why I would like to celebrate this occasion by sharing that I am joining Common Goal and pledging one per cent of my earnings to help change the world through football.

“Since Common Goal started two years ago, the movement has grown steadily proving it is a simple, effective and safe mechanism for players and managers to give back through football.

“As a team, even with a minimum pledge of just one per cent, together the football industry is capable of transforming the world. Now is the time for those interested to take a step forward.”

In May this year the campaign reached the milestone of 100 members, from 34 countries.

Common Goal chief executive and co-founder Jurgen Griesbeck said: “We are thrilled to welcome Jurgen Klopp onto the team.

“He represents a new generation of leadership in global football that combines success with empathy. At a time when our world is facing social divides, increasing global inequality and political polarisation, his contribution exceeds the financial and will inspire football fans and non-football fans across the planet.”

Under-pressure Real Madrid boss Zinedine Zidane hailed the unity among his players after they bounced back from a heavy defeat at Paris St Germain by beating in-form Sevilla.

Wednesday’s miserable 3-0 Champions League loss in the French capital led to reports Zidane could be on his way out of the Bernabeu only six months after returning as manager.

But his chances of being given more time were boosted by a second-half header from Karim Benzema, which secured a slender 1-0 success at a boisterous Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan.

Victory in Andalusia moved the visitors level on 11 points with league leaders Athletic Bilbao, while inflicting a first defeat on Sevilla coach Julen Lopetegui, who was sacked by Real just under 11 months ago.

“We’re happy because we played the full 90 minutes at a high level at a difficult place,” said Zidane at his post-match press conference, according to Real’s website.

“This is a group win and I’m happy for all the players. Sevilla have done well since the beginning of the season and we have to congratulate the players.

“We played with personality for the 90 minutes. Everyone helped each other out on the field and what is obvious is the defensive solidarity.

“We know how difficult it is playing here.”

Frenchman Zidane guided Madrid to three European crowns during his previous spell in charge but endured a difficult end to last season and a low-key start to this.

He handed a first league start to big-money summer signing Eden Hazard on Sunday, selecting him as part of three-pronged attack with Gareth Bale and match-winner Benzema.

Former Chelsea playmaker Hazard was denied a maiden Real goal in the first half of a tight and, at times, tetchy encounter, while Bale poked into the side-netting late on after Sevilla substitute Javier Hernandez correctly had a goal disallowed for offside.

While the game was short on chances, Zidane praised the clinical nature of compatriot Benzema and defensive contribution of his attacking talent.

“We know what Benzema is about and he got us the win again,” he added.

“We defended well and read the game well tactically. That is crucial when you take on such a big team. We knew we could score and thanks to Karim, we did so.

“We know we can do more in attack and we will do that. The team work we saw was fundamental in this win. James (Rodriguez), Gareth, Hazard and the others were important. We defended well and at a place like this you need to.”

Real host Osasuna on Wednesday before next weekend’s Madrid derby away to city neighbours Atletico.

They are yet to impress in front of their own fans this season, being held to a 1-1 draw by Real Valladolid before scraping a  3-2 success over Levante.

“On Wednesday we will try to play with intensity and go out to win the game from the start,” said Zidane.

“Now we have to rest and congratulate the players because they have given everything out on the field and I’m happy.”

Sevilla boss Lopetegui, who was dismissed after less than four months in charge of Real, felt his current side merited a draw against his former one.

“The team has fought until the end,” he said, according to Sevilla’s website.

“We had the idea of ​​ending actions with a shot and preventing their transitions. It has not been so and we have paid for it

“It is a shame not to take a point in this even match.”

Irish club Bohemians handed a league debut to a 14-year-old on Friday night as they drew 0-0 at Derry.

Evan Ferguson was introduced as a substitute late in the second half of the SSE Airtricity League Premier Division match, replacing Luke Wade-Slater.

The young attacker previously featured for Bohs in a pre-season friendly at home against Chelsea in July, coming off the bench for a confident performance in a 1-1 draw in Frank Lampard’s first match as Chelsea manager.

That included sending a shot just wide, then being involved in the build-up to the hosts’ equaliser, stepping over the ball before it was fired in by Eric Molloy.

Ferguson, son of former Bohs defender Barry Ferguson, was born in October, 2004, the same month in which Lionel Messi made his debut for Barcelona.

Shkodran Mustafi insists he will not go to “war” with Arsenal and remains focused on playing football for the club after a summer move failed to materialise.

The 27-year-old defender played his first game of the season as the Gunners ran out comfortable 3-0 winners away to Eintracht Frankfurt in their opening Europa League fixture of the campaign.

Youngsters Joe Willock and Bukayo Saka stole the headlines as both academy products scored before Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang completed the victory with a late strike.

But Mustafi, much-maligned and told by head coach Unai Emery he was free to leave in the summer, played his part as Arsenal kept just their second clean sheet since April.

The Germany international has struggled to make an impact since moving to the Emirates Stadium in a big-money transfer in 2016 and was heavily linked with a departure.

Emery suggested after the European transfer window closed that it had been Mustafi’s decision not to leave and the former Valencia man is now ready to knuckle down and play when called upon.

“I‘ve never been someone who begins a war when something doesn‘t work out,” he said.

“I always said: If it is possible, I am open to take the next step. If not, I keep playing my football.

“My father, who is my agent, spoke to the club. I am an Arsenal player and still got two years contract.

“The manager said he sees me the same way he sees every player in the team. That‘s why I played today and that‘s it. We are going to see what the future holds.”

Speaking after an open game at the Commerzbank Arena where both sides wasted a plethora of chances and Frankfurt had midfielder Dominik Kohr sent off late on, Emery was full of praise for his young charges.

It was something of a vindication for the faith he has shown in Arsenal’s academy products since taking the head coach’s job last year and the Spaniard was delighted with both Willock and Saka – as well as Emile Smith Rowe.

“Their performance tonight was good and they deserve it,” he said.

“Maybe with his (Saka’s) goal, with his performance, but also in the match taking confidence, finishing really strongly physically.

“And also with Emile, after his injury tonight he played for the first time this season and he worked well. Willock also, progressively he was feeling better and with a good performance.”

Frankfurt manager Adi Hutter has had to deal with losing his three attacking talents, Luka Jovic, Ante Rebic and Sebastien Haller over the summer – the trio having scored 56 of the club’s 90 goals last season.

But, despite profligacy from new recruits Bas Dost and Andre Silva, the Austrian head coach was pleased with his side’s performance, if not the final result.

“It’s a bitter defeat for us,” he said.

“Because the performance does not reflect that result. When it was still 1-0 for Arsenal, we tried to score the equaliser but then conceded another one.

“The important thing is for us to create chances, I have seen enough of those. A goal can help open some doors, give you a boost, that did not happen today.”

Pep Guardiola hailed a professional performance – but stressed there was no time to enjoy it – after Manchester City opened their Champions League campaign with a 3-0 win over Shakhtar Donetsk.

Riyad Mahrez, Ilkay Gundogan and Gabriel Jesus were all on target as City eased to victory over the Ukrainian champions in the Group C clash in Kharkiv.

It was a convincing start in a group they are expected to dominate but Guardiola’s thoughts were already turning to Saturday’s Premier League clash with Watford.

The City boss said: “I think already about Watford as we don’t have much time, but to start away in the Champions League with a good result (is positive) and I know we played really good.

“We created incredible chances and all the guys were fantastic. It’s a good result to start – better than last season.”

With Aymeric Laporte already sidelined, an injury to John Stones on the eve of the game left Nicolas Otamendi as City’s only fit specialist centre-back.

Midfielder Fernandinho filled in impressively against Shakhtar but Guardiola admits other options will also need to be explored.

Youngster Eric Garcia, who was on the bench in Ukraine, is an alternative but Guardiola may try switching some other senior players around first.

He said: “I didn’t have doubts he (Fernandinho) could do it and he’s going to do it (again).

“But Nico is 31, Fernandinho is 34, and next alternative is 18. For three or four months I don’t know what will happen.

“Both were incredible tonight but we need another solution – Rodri or Kyle (Walker) maybe – because they cannot play every game at their age. But Fernandinho can play in any position and that’s why he’s so important for us.”

Guardiola also picked out Gundogan and Mahrez for praise.

Asked if Gundogan did not get enough credit for his performances, Guardiola said: “The important thing is the credit he has from all of us, he is an exceptional player. It was outstanding from Ilkay today.”

He added of Mahrez, who set up Gundogan’s goal as well as scoring himself: “It’s a pleasure to watch him play football.”

Shakhtar occasionally threatened City on the break but coach Luis Castro admitted they paid the price for failing to take their chances.

He said: “We knew how difficult this game would be. Our plan was not letting City develop their attacks through the centre and we also wanted to organise fast counters and take our chances.

“At 1-0 Junior Moraes had a chance for an equaliser but we missed it and in a few minutes City scored the second goal. When you are 2-0 down you feel a mountain on your shoulders, so it was very hard in the second half. The game was finished by the third goal.”

Jurgen Klopp questioned the awarding of a penalty to Napoli which he felt proved decisive as Liverpool started the defence of their Champions League crown on a bum note.

The Reds lacked a cutting edge but would have been worthy of a point at the intimidating Stadio San Paolo, only for the Group E opener to hinge on Jose Callejon being upended in the area by Andy Robertson.

Dries Mertens converted from the spot in the 82nd minute before Virgil Van Dijk lost the ball on the edge of the area in stoppage time, allowing former Tottenham striker Fernando Llorente to seal a 2-0 win for Napoli.

Liverpool manager Klopp said: “When we conceded to go 1-0 down that was the game changer. We have to accept the result.

“We are really critical of ourselves but it was not a really, really bad performance, it was a game which we could have won at Napoli but we didn’t because we didn’t score.

“We wanted to have at least a point and we didn’t get that because of the penalty. I’m pretty sure there are different views on that situation but when a player jumps before there is contact then it cannot be a penalty.

“But we cannot change that anymore so that’s how it is and now we carry on, that’s it.”

The Reds’ strong appeals for a penalty against Newcastle at the weekend fell on deaf ears but they maintained their 100 per cent winning start to the Premier League season by beating the Magpies 3-1.

Tuesday night’s decision proved central to the outcome but Klopp refused to be too critical of the process involving the video assistant referee.

He added: “I could say a lot of things about it but then I would look like a bad loser. I’m not the best loser in the world but I’m not bad at it.

“It was very decisive in that moment for sure but we can’t change it. As long as human beings make the decisions then there is still potential for (mistakes). The rules are like this and we trust in the rules.”

The visitors, barracked throughout in a hostile atmosphere in Naples, lost the corresponding fixture between the sides last season en route to being defeated in every group stage game away from Anfield.

The Merseysiders managed to pip Napoli to the knockout stages by virtue of goals scored and went on to lift the European Cup for the sixth time in their history.

Klopp believes Napoli are more than capable of going all the way this season.

He added: “They can win the competition. If you have a good plan and good players, which they obviously have, then they can win the competition. We experienced that.

“You don’t have to be the best team in the world to win the Champions League. You have to be there in the right moments and you have to be lucky in some situations.”

Napoli counterpart Carlo Ancelotti welcomed Klopp’s assessment of his side as potential winners.

The Italian said: “If Jurgen Klopp says that we have the ability to go on and win the Champions League then I say to him, ‘thank you very much’ because he’s a coach that knows football inside out.

“But there is still a very long way to go. Our first objective is to try to get through to the knockout stages.”

Ancelotti shied away from talking about the penalty award, preferring to focus on his side’s display.

He added: “It wasn’t all perfect but just when it seemed all was lost and Liverpool had taken complete control of the game, the team were very orderly and very switched on and they never lost sight of the game plan.

“The two goals came from rather curious and unusual circumstances but ultimately I’m very happy with how we played.”