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Henrikh Mkhitaryan is capable of being “one of the best in the Premier League”, according to new Arsenal team-mate Sokratris Papastathopoulos.

The Armenia international is preparing to enter his first full campaign with the Gunners, having joined as part of the deal which took Alexis Sanchez to Manchester United in January.

He has offered glimpses of what he is capable of during his short time in north London, with injury having impacted on his consistency in 2017-18.

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Sokratis is convinced that Mkhitaryan will be ready to shine in the upcoming season, with a man he knows well from their time together at Borussia Dortmund considered to be an elite performer.

The Greek defender, who has been reunited with familiar faces this summer after completing a €19 million transfer (£16.7m/$22.4m), told Arsenal Player on the qualities that Mkhitryan brings to the side:”It’s everything.

“With the ball, without the ball, how he works for the team, when he creates, when he returns with the team… it’s just amazing.

“What he showed in his last year in Dortmund, he was one of the best in the Bundesliga. I think he can also be one of the best here in the Premier League.”

Mkhitaryan made 15 appearances for Arsenal last season, with nine of those coming in the Premier League.

He contributed three goals across all competitions, while also providing five assists.

More of the same will be expected in 2018-19, with Unai Emery hoping to make a positive impression in his first campaign since inheriting the managerial reins from Arsene Wenger.

He and his side have been handed a testing opening to their endeavours, with their first competitive outing after an International Champions Cup quest set to see them play host to reigning champions Manchester City on August 12.

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France won their second World Cup in Russia and bet365 believe Les Bleus will be serious contenders to defend their crown in 2022.

The online bookmaker are going 7/1 (8.0) that the European side become the first team since Brazil in 1962 to retain the trophy.

That quote is unsurprising not only because of their success in becoming world champions but the likelihood that many of the squad that triumphed in Moscow will either still feature heavily in the national set up or could be set for even bigger roles in four years’ time.

Six players who started the 4-2 win over Croatia are aged 25 or under including Kylian Mbappe, who was named young player of the tournament.

The Qatar showpiece will be a break from tradition with the tournament having been confirmed as being held in the winter.

FIFA have revealed that the competition will take place from 21 November until 18 December 2022, leaving football fans with an extra few months to wait for what will be a completely new experience on a number of levels.

Brazil are bet365’s favourites with the Selecao available at 6/1 (7.0). Tite’s side disappointed in Russia though and will have plenty of questions to answer if they’re to justify their position at the head of the market.

Having been market principles before the action got underway the Selecao crashed out to Belgium in the quarter finals. Spain also suffered and early exit despite being well-fancied by the betting public.

La Roja were forced into a late change of coach after Julen Lopetegui was confirmed as the new Real Madrid manager just 48 hours before the 2010 world champions got their campaign underway.

A penalty shootout defeat to the hosts in the last 16 was far from what Spain were expected to achieve but they are 7/1 (8.0) to go all the way in Qatar. Germany are also 7/1 (8.0) chances having finished bottom of Group F in Russia.

Argentina are available at 10/1 (11.0) after a largely disappointing showing in Russia but they remain shorter in the betting than semi-finalists Belgium who are 12/1 (13.0).

England come next at 14/1 (15.0) having finished fourth with a youthful squad that is expected to challenge for Euro 2020 by the bookmakers.

Italy (16/1) and Netherlands (20/1) both missed the previous tournament but are still shorter than Portugal (25/1), who could go into Qatar without their talisman Cristiano Ronaldo as he will be 37 by the time the competition takes place.

Despite finishing as Runners Up in Russia, Croatia (40/1) aren’t expected to challenge on the world stage next time around.

That’s an understandable quote given several key members of the current squad are expected to be past the peak of their powers. Golden Ball winner Luka Modric, Ivan Rakitic and Danijel Subasic are already at least 30 years of age.

Uruguay and Colombia are also available at 40/1 (41.0) ahead of Chile (50/1) and Mexico who are priced at 66/1 (67.0).

Check out the latest football odds at bet365

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Brazil great Kaka believes Neymar attracts disproportionate criticism and should not be blamed for the country’s underwhelming World Cup campaign.

Despite scoring twice in Russia, the world’s most expensive player was described as having underperformed by ex-Selecao stars Ronaldo and Cafu as the pre-tournament favourites crashed out to Belgium in the quarter-finals.

He was also lampooned on social media throughout the tournament for perceived playacting in response to opposition challenges.

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Former AC Milan and Real Madrid playmaker Kaka came to the defence of the Paris Saint-Germain player, arguing he is unfairly targeted.

“This search for the one to blame is what I don’t agree with too much,” Kaka told Omnisport, speaking courtesy of Adidas.

“Brazil lost. It wasn’t Neymar who lost. The Brazilian national team was eliminated in the quarter-finals.

“[The response to] everything he does is very unbalanced. When he does something good, it’s very big. And when something not so good happens, it’s also very big.

“He, as a 26-year-old lad, has to manage all this… I think he’s fine. Many who criticise Neymar are much older and more mature than Neymar is today.

“Faced with all the situations he faces, given the age he is… I’m a fan of Neymar. And that’s speaking about him as a celebrity. As an athlete, he’s an excellent player.”

Himself a World Cup winner in 2002, 92-time international Kaka claimed Neymar did not receive enough credit for his efforts in the loss to Belgium.

“He was decisive, he did good passes, he didn’t score, but he looked for the game,” the retired midfielder said.

“He tried at every moment, he put his team-mates near the goal lots of times, but this happens.”

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For the FIFA World Cup Russia 2018 Kia brought youngsters from around the world to give them a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to meet their heroes and carry out the official matchball ahead of a FIFA World Cup match.

One of the lucky participants was Nathania Kandathil, who became the first ever Official Match Ball Carrier from India when she was selected from thousands of entries to be the OMBC at Brazil vs Costa Rica. 

Having walked out with her heroes, including the chance to meet Brazil superstar Neymar, Nathania said “It was just such a big special moment. I’m still dreaming… it was something that I’ll never forget – it was the best moment of my life”.

To find out more about Kia Motors partnership with the FIFA World Cup and the OMBC initiative visit: http://www.kia.com/worldwide/experience_kia/russia-worldcup-2018.do

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