Granit Xhakas team-mate Johan Djourou has compared the new Arsenal signing to veteran Italy midfielder Andrea Pirlo. Xhaka became Arsene Wengers first major signing of the summer transfer window earlier this week when he completed a switch from German club Borussia Monchengladbach for around £30m.And his Switzerland team-mate Djourou, who himself played for Arsenal between 2004 and 2014, gave an insight into how the 23-year-old plays. Djourou himself played for Arsenal between 2004 and 2014 Djourou told Sky Sports News HQ: Hes got this ability to play very long balls, very precise balls, and I always say he reminds me a bit of Pirlo, the way he plays.Hes got the ability to play the Arsenal way. Hes got this aggressiveness about him that will help him in the Premier League, and hes a great ball player and ball winner as well. Who is Granit Xhaka? What will the man from Borussia Monchengladbach bring? Djourou left Arsenal for Hamburg in the summer of 2014, but has nothing but fond memories of his time at Highbury and the Emirates.The 29-year-old defender, who is part of Switzerlands squad for Euro 2016, revealed he gave Xhaka some advice about life in London and at Arsenal. Xhakas passing ability reminds Djourou of Italy legend Andrea Pirlo He asked me a lot of things about London, the club, and I could only say great things about it because I had a great experience there.I think that the people at the club are just amazing, and those who run the club as well. I think hes going to have a great time. Also See: Xhaka: Arsenal move a dream Who is Granit Xhaka? Arsenal video Arsenal fixtures Carlos Pena Jersey . LOUIS -- Heading into the final stretch of the season, the issues for the Chicago Bears banged-up defence only seem to be getting worse. Mexico Soccer Jerseys . Listen to the game live on TSN Radio 1050 at 7pm et. The Raptors traded Rudy Gay, Quincy Acy and Aaron Gray to the Sacramento Kings on Monday, in exchange for Greivis Vasquez, John Salmons, Patrick Patterson and Chuck Hayes. http://www.mexiconationalshop.us/Jorge-Torres-Mexico-Jersey-Soccer/ . Jay Feely kicked a 41-yard field goal in overtime, and the Cardinals edged the Tennessee Titans 37-34 in overtime after blowing a 17-point lead late in the fourth quarter. Eduardo Herrera Jersey .25 million option on reliever Jose Veras. Carlos Vela Mexico Jersey . -- The Bishops Gaiters are showing they belong among the countrys top varsity football teams.CINCINNATI, Ohio -- Jeff Locke broke into a grin before taking any questions. "Happy to be back," the left-hander said. No ones happier than the Pittsburgh Pirates, who used their formula from a highly successful first half -- great pitching, just enough scoring -- to salvage the final game of their series with Cincinnati Reds on Sunday. Locke allowed only an infield single through six innings of a 3-2 victory. Second-place Pittsburgh left town with a three-game cushion over the NL Central-rival Reds, who won the first two games. "Theres still a lot of games left, but to get this final game is big," said Garrett Jones, who homered off Homer Bailey. "Every game matters." Locke (9-2) and the majors second-stingiest bullpen limited the Reds to three singles, but issued seven walks and let a run score on a wild pitch. Jason Grilli worked the ninth for his 30th save in 31 chances. His only blown save came in Cincinnati on June 19. Locke had to miss his last scheduled start and couldnt pitch in the All-Star game because of a sore back. There were no problems when he got back on the mound. "The back was great," Locke said. Bailey (5-9) struck out a career-high 12 but remained winless since his no-hitter against San Francisco at Great American Ball Park this month. Jones hit his second homer in two games, and the Pirates added a pair of runs in the seventh. "That was the best Ive ever seen Bailey," Jones said. "His velocity was up, his cutter was nasty and he was hitting his spots well." The Pirates hit six homers during the series, all solo shots. It underscored their main concern as trade talks intensify: Can they score enough runs to make the playoffs? "Im just one of the pieces that need to pick it up," said Jones, who has 10 homers after hitting a career-high 27 last year. "I had a slow first half and this is the time to hit and be productive and help your team win." The Ohio River rivals dont meet again until September, when they play each other six times in the last nine games. Both hope they have a lot at stake when they get back together -- the Reds trying for a second straight NL Central title, the Pirates trying to end their 20-year streak of losing records and reach the post-season for the first time since 1992.dddddddddddd They came away from their weekend series bunched a bit closer in their chase of division-leading St. Louis. Bailey threw the first of his two no-hitters last Sept. 28 in Pittsburgh, a 1-0 win over a team he has dominated during his career. He threw his second no-hitter on July 2. Since then, hes started three games -- two on the road -- and gone 0-3 with a 5.50 ERA. Lockes performance was encouraging for the Pirates, who have stayed in contention despite injuries in the rotation. Shin-Soo Choos infield single in the first inning extended his hitting streak to a career-high 15 games. Locke walked a pair and threw a wild pitch that let in a run in the fifth inning. He lowered his ERA to 2.11. "What did he leave with, one hit?" manager Clint Hurdle said. "Thats good stuff." The Reds got another run in the eighth when Joey Votto grounded into a double play with the bases loaded against Mark Melancon, ending the relievers streak of 15 scoreless innings. It was Cincinnatis best chance to pull off the three-game sweep. "It hurts when you have opportunities like that," manager Dusty Baker said. "You hope youre going to blow it open." First baseman Gaby Sanchez, a late defensive replacement, started the double play, with Melancon covering first to take the relay and finish it. "Thats as good a double play as weve made all year in a tight situation," Hurdle said. Pittsburgh scored twice in the seventh on Jordy Mercers single and Jose Tabatas pinch-hit single off Bailey, who threw 121 pitches. NOTES: The Pirates continue their 10-game trip with the first of four games in Washington. The Reds begin an 11-game trip to San Francisco, Los Angeles and San Diego. Theyre in a stretch of playing 18 of 21 on the road. ... Bailey fanned 10 during his no-hitter in Pittsburgh and nine during his no-hitter against the Giants. ... The Reds plan to call up RHP Greg Reynolds from Triple-A Louisville to start one of their doubleheader games in San Francisco on Tuesday. Reynolds, a California native who played at Stanford, started 16 games for Colorado in 2008 and 2011. ' ' '