The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Arsenal FC

  • Haruna reflects on first year with FWC Champions FC

    Haruna reflects on first year with FWC Champions FC

    Arsenal FC of London and Abuja-based FWC Champions FC share a compelling narrative of resilience and ambition. Both teams have faced challenges in their pursuit of titles: Arsenal has been without an EPL trophy for over two decades, while FWC FC has not secured a major title in nearly seven years.

    In the wake of recent struggles, Arsenal boldly appointed former player Mikel Arteta in 2019, and in 2024, FWC FC took a decisive step by introducing the dynamic young coach Bunmi Haruna, a former assistant coach for Nigeria’s U-17 team.

    Both are passionate about their craft, with Arteta born in Spain in 1982 and Haruna just a year younger.

    Reflecting on his first year, Haruna hailed it as both demanding and transformative. He successfully guided his team through an unbeaten league season, bringing them back into the conversation for top-tier contention. While they experienced a setback in the promotion playoff, losing on penalties, their captivating style of play has garnered a growing fanbase, especially in Jos. Additionally, the club celebrated its triumph in the FCT Pre-season Tournament, marking its first trophy in five years.

    Looking ahead, FWC FC has set ambitious goals for itself, targeting promotion to the NNL and a state FA Cup victory by 2025. Haruna is dedicated to developing players for European opportunities and building a robust scouting network to help African talents make their mark in top-tier football. He envisions a future where players can secure positions with prestigious clubs like Barcelona and Chelsea by 2025.

    He said: “Our targets are clear: promotion to the NNL and the state FA Cup. I am committed to helping young talents in Africa achieve their dreams of playing for elite European clubs through my scouting network.

    Read Also: NFF berates FIFAs over World Cup bidding process

    “I’m also among the few Nigeria-based coaches proficient in the latest video analysis software to dissect football games.

    “I look forward to applying this expertise to continental teams and our national squad in the coming year.”.

    Haruna expressed his admiration for Arsenal’s Mikel Arteta and his innovative set-piece routines. Impressively, over half of FWC FC’s goals in the NLO 1 Super 8 came from set pieces—tactics he mastered alongside Nigeria’s top youth team coaches.

    “Set pieces are vital in modern football. I watch numerous Arsenal matches—not to imitate but to understand the strategic principles behind their offensive and defensive play, particularly during set pieces.

    “I have learned immensely from working alongside Nigeria’s youth team coaches, including Manu Garba, Nduka Ugbade, Emmanuel Amuneke, and Haruna Ilerika. They emphasize the impact of set pieces, which can shift the game’s dynamics in your favour, even when the team isn’t at its best,” a confident Haruna concluded.

  • Breaking: Chelsea maul Arsenal 4-1 to win Europa Cup

     

    Chelsea Football Cup on Wednesday night defeated Arsenal 4-1 to win the 2018/2019 Europa cup in Baku, the capital of Azerbijan.

    Eden Hazard scored two goals while Pedro and former Gunner player Oliver Giroud also scored.

    Nigeria’s Alex Iwobi gave Arsenal the only goal.

    Details shortly…

  • Breaking: Valencia vs Arsenal X1

    Arsenal FC face Valencia tonight in the second leg of Europa semi-finals with a 3-1 aggregate advantage.

    Here are the starting line-ups for both teams.

    Valencia:

    ·       Neto

    ·       Gaya

    ·       G. Paulista

    ·       Garay

    ·       Picinni

    ·       Guedes

    ·       Coquelin

    ·       Parejo

    ·       Wass

    ·       Gameiro

    ·       Rodrigo

    Arsenal:

    ·       Cech

    ·       Monreal

    ·       Sokratis

    ·       Koscienly

    ·       Maitland-Niles

    ·       Kolasinac

    ·       Xhaka

    ·       Torreira

    ·       Ozil

    ·       Aubameyang

    ·       Lacazette

  • Jagielka scores for Everton to dent Arsenal’s hopes

    Arsenal’s hopes of a top-four finish in the English Premier League (EPL) were dented on Sunday as Everton captain Phil Jagielka took advantage of an unexpected late recall.

    The veteran defender scored the winner in a dominant 1-0 victory at Goodison Park.

    Jagielka, who was brought into the team for a rare appearance after Michael Keane had to withdraw in the warm-up through illness, scored after 10 minutes.

    His goal earned his side well-deserved third straight league win.

    It marked a significant setback for a disappointing Arsenal, who remain fourth in the table but missed an opportunity to leap ahead of their third-placed north London rivals Tottenham Hotspur.

    Unai Emery’s side stay on 63 points, one behind Spurs, level with fifth-placed Chelsea and two clear of Manchester United in an increasingly tight battle for the UEFA Champions League berths.

    The experienced Jagielka proved Everton’s unlikely hero after his late call-up.

    He became the oldest goalscorer in the league this season at 36 years 233 days when he poked home his finish after Arsenal failed to clear Lucas Digne’s long throw.

    The ball had fallen kindly after Dominic Calvert-Lewin got the final touch on to him in the aerial battle, allowing Jagielka to score his first league goal in two years.

    He also became Everton’s second-oldest marksman in the Premier League era.

    “I’m not normally a match-winner, full stop,” laughed the former England defender. “They’re the best goals, the little tap-ins from two or three yards.”

    His goal signalled a hungry and aggressive display from Everton who, while moving up to ninth on 46 points, could have won far more convincingly.

    That is if Gylfi Sigurdsson and Richarlison had converted any of the side’s 23 attempts on goal.

    “We got one goal but could have scored a few more,” added Jagielka.

    He earned special praise from delighted Everton manager Marco Silva, who said: “He was to start on the bench, but showed how he is a good professional and prepares himself for what the coach and team needs.

    “He is always ready to help the team.”

    Arsenal, who have conceded at least one goal in every league away match this season, came closest with one curling second-half effort from Henrikh Mkhitaryan.

    But they were outplayed and outfought by Silva’s team.

    They had only two attempts on target in the whole match.

    And, with Mesut Ozil failing to offer much inspiration as captain for the day, they endured one of their more frustrating lack lustre away days.

    Arsenal’s frustration became obvious when the two managers were involved in a brief confrontation in the second half.

    “The football is emotional. He wants the best for his team. I want the best for mine. At the end we spoke together and everything is normal,” said Silva.

    Arsenal boss Emery felt his team would have to rebound swiftly as they prepared to face Napoli in a UEFA Europa League quarter-final first leg on Thursday.

    “It was not a good result today but we are still fourth,” said the Spaniard. “We lost and we need to get up quickly and find the next step.”(Reuters/NAN)

  • Arsenal won’t sell Ozil and Sanchez in January – Wenger

    Arsenal won’t sell Ozil and Sanchez in January – Wenger

    Arsenal FC manager Arsene Wenger has ruled out selling Mesut Ozil and Alexis Sanchez in the January transfer window “unless something unbelievable happens’’.

    Both players are out of contract in the summer and have been the subject of repeated speculation that they may leave.

    Ozil is a reported target for Manchester United and FC Barcelona, while Sanchez is the subject of a failed bid from Manchester City last summer.

    Speaking ahead of Wednesday’s game with Huddersfield Town, Wenger was asked whether he thought both would still be at the club when the January transfer window closes.

    “Yes, of course,’’ he said. “I rule it out. I don’t think every day about that.

    “As long as they are here, they give their best for the club. In my head, they stay until the end of the season, unless something unbelievable happens. I don’t see that changing.’’

    If neither player signs a contract extension, each could begin negotiating with other clubs in January ahead of a summer move.

    When asked whether he thought the pair would remain at the club long term, Wenger said: “I am not the only one to decide that. They have to decide that as well.’’

    Wenger also spoke about the future of Jack Wilshere, who has also been linked with a move after failing to nail down a regular first team place this season.

    “I always considered his interests, because he has been an Arsenal player since a kid,’’ said Wenger. “My first priority is what is best for him.

    “I have to consider the interests of Jack Wilshere and Arsenal. If I think it’s in his best interest to stay here, I will fight 100 percent for that.’’

  • Scouts from Uk, China, To Storm Asisat Oshoala Football Clinic

    Scouts from Uk, China, To Storm Asisat Oshoala Football Clinic

    Reigning African Queen, Asisat Oshoala  has promised to award  scholarships to the best talents at the first-ever Asisat Oshoala Lagos State girls secondary schools football clinic, slated for  November in Lagos. Oshoala also stated that the five-day event  will have  scouts from Arsenal, China visit Lagos to train secondary schools girls.

    The 5-day education and football clinic tagged “#Lagosgirlsfootball” is endorsed by the Lagos State Sports Commission led by Deji Tinubu , the Lagos state Football Association and its also supported by the office of the First Lady of Lagos state,  Bolanle Ambode.

    According to Oshoala, the  project is  part of her effort to develop the game of Women’s football in Lagos.

    She said: “The project is my  give back program for the society , part of my foundation programme to develop the game of Women’s football in Lagos, Nigeria. When you educate a girl , you have educate a nation , kick out prostitution out of Lagos, kick out early pregnancy on the side of girls , they can play football and still go to school.

    Education is not only in the class, kick out badoo in Ikorodu , we need the government to support the huge project, I can’t do it alone, we  are doing the project in support of the Lagos Sports Commission and I  want to use this medium to commend  Deji  Tinubu for standing by me and also her excellency Mrs Bolanle Ambode.

    About 5000 girls from different secondary schools are expected to take part in the competition. Balls, boots, jerseys, school bags and other educational and sports equipment are to be distributed to all participants.

    Asisat promised to make the clinic an annual event while also adding that , she would take the most valuable player from the clinic to either UK or China to study and also play football.

  • Wenger grabs full back Sead Kolasinac for free

    Wenger grabs full back Sead Kolasinac for free

    Arsenal have confirmed the signing of Schalke left-back Sead Kolasinac on a free transfer.

    The Bosnian previously attracted interest from top clubs in the Premier League and across Europe and was the subject of a failed bid from Chelsea in January. Manchester City, Liverpool, Everton, Juventus and AC Milan were also keenly monitoring the defender.

    But Arsene Wenger has been tracking the Bosnia and Herzegovina international for some time and the Gunners, after opening negotiations in April, staved off fierce competition to land their man on a five-year contract.

    Kolasinac was born in Germany, has a German passport and represented the country from under 18 to under 20 level before switching his allegiance to Bosnia. He can also play at centre-back or as a defensive midfielder.

    He joins a group of Arsenal left-backs currently including Nacho Monreal and Kieran Gibbs, with the latter recently linked with a move away from the club.

    The defender is due to meet up with his new team-mates in July for the start of the club’s pre-season programme.

    Speaking for the first time as an Arsenal player, Kolasinac said: ‘It feels really good and I’m pleased to be here. I’m happy to have signed at Arsenal for five years and I’m really pleased.

    Arsenal has a huge tradition and I followed the club as a young boy, in the days of Jens Lehmann and Thierry Henry. Arsenal has always been a club that is well recognised in Europe and I’m pleased to be here.

    “Jens Lehmann played at Schalke too, which is where I’ve come from. As a young kid, I followed his career and I always thought he was a good goalkeeper. I’ve been able to meet him and looking back, he was a really good goalkeeper.

    “I think my main strength is my mentality. I’m a player who will try to help the team as well as I can. My strengths are my mentality. There are different positions but I think left back is where I feel most comfortable. I can play as part of a three at the back too or further forward. I’m really flexible.”

    Arsenal broke the news of their first summer signing with a creative social media post, as they tweeted a list of nine Gunners players signed by Wenger, with the first letter of each of their surnames ordered to spell out Kolasinac.

    They then posted a video of a 10th player, which turned out to be Kolasinac, with the newest Gunner greeting fans by saying: ‘That’s right, it’s me. Come on Arsenal.’

  • I have achieved beyond my expectations-Iwobi

    I have achieved beyond my expectations-Iwobi

    Nigeria’s Alex Iwobi is awed. At age twenty he has attained a feat most of his compatriots in Nigeria  are hoping for.

    In an interview with  www.arsenal.com, he stated: “I never thought I would be here at the age of 20,

    it’s an amazing feeling to have made more than 50 appearances for Arsenal,” Iwobi said. “It is

    just the start of my career basically, so I just need to get more goals, more assists and make

    more appearances and do my best for the team.

    Iwobi whose impact in Arsenal FC cannot be overlooked could not help but to

     mention two of his team  mates who have been a source of inspiration to him.

    He said: “The manager, Steve Bould, everyone – even the players – have all given me advice on

    what to do, helping me on and off the pitch. Everyone has helped get to where I am today.

    “[The biggest influence on me] would probably be Jack Wilshere, but he has not been around

    recently. He talks to me off the pitch because he has been through the same system as me, I

    just watch what he does – especially as I grew up as a No 10 and he’s a No 10.

    “Now I would say it is Francis Coquelin, he is always talking to me. After the Watford game he

    told me what I did well, and what I need to improve on. He’s definitely one who keeps me in check.”

  • ‘Dangote Group has no plan to buy Arsenal’

    ‘Dangote Group has no plan to buy Arsenal’

    Dangote Group of Companies has dismissed as untrue the widely held notion that the company was on the verge of investing in English Premier League side, Arsenal FC.

    The Executive Director, Stakeholders Management and Corporate Communications, Dangote Group of Companies, Engr. Mansur Ahmed during a media parley held in Kano said, the initiative to invest in Arsenal was not a business decision of the group.

    According to him, the interest to invest in the North London club was a personal decision and not in the interest of Aliko Dangote, who held sway as the Chairman, Dangote Group of Companies.

    Also, Mansur added that Aliko Dangote is a die-hard Arsenal fan, stressing that the intent is to invest in the club must have been influenced by his love for the Emirates lads.

    He said that the Board of Directors of the conglomerate had never expressed any interest in buying Arsenal, stating that, the interest in the club is by no means connected to his business.

    He pointed out that, when the news over Dangote’s interest was unfolded, many queried the personal decision of the business tycoon, “If he chooses to buy Enugu Rangers, people will say, why not Kano Pillars” he concluded.

  • Cech’s farewell message to Chelsea

    Cech’s farewell message to Chelsea

    Petr Cech, goalkeeper of Premier League champions, Chelsea has finally completed his transfer to Arsenal.
    Cech recorded no fewer than 400 appearances during his 11 years career for the Stamford Bridge club.
    The 33-year-old goalkeeper seems to enjoy long-term contracts as he signs another long one with Arsenal Football Club.
    The transferred news was made public through a statement signed by the skipper himself.
    The statement reads in part: “I thought this would never happen but it is time for me to say goodbye to Chelsea Football Club. The club I have lived every single minute for since joining in July 2004, the club I though I’s hang my gloves and boots one day and finish my career. But life doesn’t always turn out the way you think it will.

    Read full text of his speech in the tweets below: