Soccer Football - Carabao Cup - Second Round - West Bromwich Albion v Arsenal - The Hawthorns, West Bromwich, Britain - August 25, 2021 Arsenal's Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang celebrates scoring their fifth goal and his hat-trick with Granit Xhaka and Ainsley Maitland-Niles. (Photo: Action Images via Reuters)   

Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang started his season with a hat-trick as Arsenal shook off their Premier League troubles and hit second tier West Bromwich Albion for six to reach the third round of the League Cup on Wednesday (Aug 25).

Southampton went two better, dealing fourth tier Newport County an 8-0 drubbing at Rodney Parade in the South Coast side's biggest away win of their 136-year history. Premier League rivals Newcastle United and Burnley failed to provide much excitement for the 30,000 crowd at St James' Park, that game ending goalless with Burnley winning through 4-3 on penalties.

* The English Premier League and Spain's LaLiga should release players for World Cup qualifiers next month to "preserve and protect sporting integrity", FIFA president Gianni Infantino said on Wednesday. "I am calling on a show of solidarity from every member association, every league, and every club, to do what is both right and fair for the global game," Infantino said in a statement.

* Tottenham striker Harry Kane said on Wednesday that he will stay at the club and be "100% focused on helping the team achieve success", ending weeks of speculation about a potential move to champions Manchester City.

* Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola is likely to leave the Premier League champions when his contract expires in 2023 as he wants to take a break before venturing into international football, the Spaniard said on Wednesday.

* Winger Aaron Lennon has re-joined Burnley on a free transfer from Turkish side Kayserispor, the Premier League club said on Wednesday. Lennon, 34, had been on a trial at the club for the last month and was straight away named in the starting line-up for Burnley's League Cup clash against Newcastle United later on Wednesday.

* Southampton have signed Brazilian centre back Lyanco on a four-year contract from Serie A side Torino, the Premier League club said on Wednesday. Italian and British media reported that the deal for the 24-year-old was in the region of 6.4 million pounds (US$8.78 million).

* Serena Williams has withdrawn from next week's US Open after the American said on Wednesday that her torn hamstring had not completely healed ahead of the final Grand Slam of the year. Williams, a six-times winner at Flushing Meadows, has had an injury-marred season and limped out of her first-round match at Wimbledon in tears due to the leg injury.

* Monaco and Shakhtar were playing extra time in their Champions League playoff round return leg on Wednesday after they were tied 2-2 on aggregate while RB Salzburg and Sheriff Tiraspol reached the group stage. Salzburg completed a 4-2 aggregate win over Danes Brondby as they raced into a 2-0 lead in the opening 10 minutes of the return leg before the home side netted a consolation. Sheriff Tiraspol became the first Moldovan side to reach the group stage of Europe's elite club competition after a goalless draw at Dinamo Zagreb sealed a shock 3-0 overall victory against the Croatian champions.

* Rangers manager Steven Gerrard is self-isolating following a COVID-19 outbreak at the club and will miss his side's Europa League play-off tie against Alashkert on Thursday, Sky Sports reported. Gerrard's assistant, Gary McAllister, is expected to fill in for the former England captain.

* Brazil will allow 12,000 fans to attend next month’s World Cup qualifier between Brazil and Argentina, the first step towards what it hopes will be a return to full stadiums, the Brazilian Football Confederation said.

* Atletico Madrid have signed Matheus Cunha from Hertha Berlin, the LaLiga champions said on Wednesday, with the Brazilian forward signing a five-year contract. Spanish media reported that Atletico had agreed to pay around 30 million euros (US$35.23 million) for the 22-year-old, who scored seven Bundesliga goals in 25 starts last season.

* Italian soccer club Juventus said on Wednesday its board had approved a capital increase of up to 400 million euros (US$470 million) to help it cope with the fallout from the coronavirus pandemic.

Reuters