The Nation Newspaper

Tag: arsenal

  • Football: MTN, Arsenal Hold 3-Day Coaching Clinic in Lagos

    As part of the continued effort to identify and coach the best young footballing talents in Nigeria, MTN Nigeria and top Premier League club, Arsenal Football Club, are once again holding a 3-day coaching clinic for 128 young players and 30 coaches from October 26-28, 2018 at the legacy pitch of the National Stadium, Surulere, Lagos.

    The clinic will provide the young talents with the necessary technical support, knowledge and skillset required to thrive at international level, as well as empower local coaches to build better teams and develop better stars.

    Speaking on the coaching clinic and the company’s partnership with Arsenal, MTN’s General Manager, Brands and Communications, Richard Iweanoge said, “Like all Nigerians, our love for the beautiful game continues to grow with every new season. We are also passionate about developing the game in Nigeria, which is why we are pleased to work with Arsenal (one of the very best teams in England) to make this happen.”

    He further reiterated that with the coaching clinic “MTN hopes to raise future Nigerian stars that will be the next Alex Iwobi, Kanu Nwankwo or Lionel Messi and make their mark at the world stage.”

    The coaching clinic will feature both theoretical and practical sessions facilitated by Arsenal Soccer School coaches and Arsenal legend, Lauren, who was a member of the famous “Invincibles” team that won the Premier League title in 2004.

  • Europa League: Arsenal, Milan win, as Celtic slump in Salzburg

    A second-string Arsenal enjoyed a 3-0 win in Azerbaijan against Qarabag in the Europa League on Thursday while AC Milan beat Greece’s Olympiakos 3-1.

    Eighteen-year-old Emile Smith Rowe, a product of the club’s academy was on target as the Gunners maintained their winning start in the competition.

    Sokratis Papastathopoulos and Matteo Guendouzi also scored for Unai Emery’s side who sit atop Group E with six points.

    Milan trailed to a Miguel Angel Guerrero goal at the San Siro but a late flurry of goals ensured victory for Gennaro Gattuso’s side.

    Patrick Cutrone scored twice for the Italians and Argentine Gonzalo Higuain was also on target as Group F side Milan also made it two wins out of two.

    RB Salzburg came back from a goal down to beat Scotland’s Celtic 3-1 in Austria.

    Odsonne Edouard’s cool finish put Celtic in front in the second minute but Munas Dabbur and Takumi Minamino scored after the break.

    Celtic’s James Forrest was sent off after a foul in the area and Dabbur slotted home the resulting penalty to put the game beyond Brendan Rodgers’ side.

    Substitute Lucas Alario scored a brace for Bayer Leverkusen in their 4-2 win over Cypriot side AEK Larnaca.

    Last year’s runners-up Marseille are in action later against Cypriot side Apollon as are Sevilla, winners of the competition three times between 2013 and 2016, and Chelsea. (Reuters/NAN)

  • Happy Saturday! Iwobi savours first new season victory

    Super Eagles forward Alex Iwobi enjoyed Arsenal’s first victory in the new season on Saturday.  Iwobi who only recently sealed a new contract extension with the Emirates landlords that will see him remain in the club till 2022, saw 46 minutes action in the tie against hard fighting West Ham before making way for Frenchman Alexandre Lacazette.

    Visiting West Ham had shot into the lead into a surprise lead in the 25th minute thanks to Austra import Marko Arnautrovic.

    Although Iwobi and his teammates made frantic efforts to turn the table immediately, it was not until the 30th minute that the equaliser came with the Nigerian providing the needed assist for Nacho Monreal.

    An own goal by Issa Diop in the 70th minute increased the tally for the Arsenal side that was determined to avoid another defeat and eager to sing victory song.

    A timely blend between Bellerin and Danny Welbeck in the two minutes of added time finally added the icing on the cake for Arsenal who ran away with a 3-1 victory.

    The triumph on Saturday is coming after the side had suffered back to back defeats in the hands of defending champions Manchester City and Chelsea respectively.

    Interestingly Manchester City who had recorded two victories in two matches scoring eight goals in the bargain were surprisingly held to a 1-1 draw by new comers Wolverhampton Wanderers.

  • Wenger receives Liberia’s highest honour

    Liberian President and former football star George Weah awarded ex-Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger with the country’s highest honour in a ceremony on Friday.

    The award, it was disclosed, was for services to African football that included launching Weah’s own acclaimed career.

    Wenger found Weah playing for Cameroon’s Tonnerre Yaounde and brought him to French side Monaco in 1988.

    The move paved the way for the striker at some of Europe’s top clubs, including AC Milan, Paris St Germain and Chelsea.

    In 1995 Weah was named World Footballer of the Year and won the Ballon d’Or, still the only African to win either award.

    “You proved yourself as a teacher when you revolutionised forever the approach of scouting young talents all over the planet, particularly throughout Africa,” Weah said of Wenger during a ceremony in the capital Monrovia.

    Wenger was named a Knight Grand High Commander of the Humane Order of African Redemption, the highest rank in Liberia’s Order of Distinction.

    Fellow coach Claude Le Roy, who first told Wenger about Weah’s talent, also received the award on Friday.

    Thousands of spectators clapped and cheered as Wenger received his medal in a hall at the national stadium adorned with the national red, white and blue.

    Thousands more listened to the ceremony on the radio in the stadium, once a shelter for people displaced by a civil war that ended fifteen years ago.

    Weah’s footballing successes helped launch his political career back home.

    His unlikely rise, from kicking a ball on the dusty streets of a Monrovia slum to world fame, won him support in one of the world’s poorest countries.

    Development in the West African country has been hobbled by the 14-year civil war that ended in 2003 and an Ebola outbreak which killed thousands from 2013-16.

    Read Also: Liberians divided on Arsene Wenger honour

    He succeeded Nobel Peace Prize winner Ellen Johnson Sirleaf as president after a landslide election victory in December last year.

    “I think Wenger deserves it. If he had not spotted ambassador Weah in those days, he would not have reached this level,” said university student Cynthia Kollie.

    Some took issue with the awards, saying the president’s choice was based on personal ties rather than on what the recipients did for the country.

    “President Weah is bestowing our nation’s highest honour on his two former football coaches who have made no direct impact or contributed to Liberia’s collective interest,” said Martin Kolle, a student.

  • AC Milan woos Arsenal CEO with £3.6m-a-year offer

    Arsenal chief executive Ivan Gazidis is on the verge of making an important decision on whether or not to dump the Emirates and accept a lucrative offer tabled by AC Milan.

    Gazidis, who became CEO at Arsenal in 2009 and is now tasked with the day-to-day running of the club, was one of the key players in appointing new boss Unai Emery.

    Gazidis has been the Emirate landlords for 10 years and a move to San Siro in response to the latest demand will see him pocket

    £3.6million per year, ensuring an increase of £1mon his current salary

    The Italian giants want Gazidis to respond by the start of next month, hoping a promise of more money and overseeing a club overhaul will be enough to persuade him to make the switch.

    Arsenal do not appear to have an objection to the 53-year-old to accept a new challenge in Serie A, but it is understood he is yet to make a decision on his future.

    Gazidis remains one of the well-paid executives in the Premier League, although his salary dropped by around £50,000 between 2016 and 2017.

    He played a major role in appointing Emery following Arsene Wenger’s departure earlier this year and now enjoys greater control at the Emirates Stadium

    However, the club’s strict transfer and wage budget could scupper plans to take on Manchester City and challenge for the title once again.

    AC Milan’s new American owners, Elliott Management, have ambitions to take on Juventus, Napoli, Roma and rivals Inter at the top of Italian football.

    They hope Gazidis will use almost a decade of experience in England’s top-flight to help them bridge the gap after finishing sixth last season.

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

  • Arsenal’s Iwobi makes Nollywood debut

    Nigeria international and Arsenal forward, Alex Iwobi has made a debut in his first film role in the soon to be released ‘Inpadisu.’

    The movie, now trending on social media, features Iwobi being pursued all over the place, apparently because of choices he made in the movie.

    Iwobi also took to his Instagram page @Alexanderiwobi to confirm his role in the film alongside award-winning actress, Somkele Iyamah.

    He shared the thriller and wrote: “Shot my Nollywood debut last month. A movie about choices coming soon.”

    Following his confirmation, fans took to Instagram to laud the football star’s versatility and expressed their optimism on the quality production of the film.

    @Zedoninho wrote, “Always going hard for Naija. Love it.”

    Read Also: Iwobi on target as Arsenal lose 3-2 to Chelsea

    @King_Chynee said, “I am anticipating. UNILAG will definitely rush this one.”

    @Temilade said, “Let’s go big Alex, let it out!!! We can’t wait.”

    @Riyanoray wrote, “So gassed, still my favourite footballer, even if you are acting.”

    Iwobi, who was part of the 23-man team for the 2018 World Cup, started as a youth international for England, with whom he won the Victory Shield in 2011.

    He went on to play for Nigeria and made his senior debut for the Super Eagles on Oct. 8, 2015.

  • Iwobi on target as Arsenal lose 3-2 to Chelsea

    *Oliseh hails performance

    Super Eagles forward Alex Iwobi was on target Saturday even as Arsenal lost 3-2 to Chelsea at the Stamford Bridge.

    The Nigerian international scored a 41st minute goal to increase Gunners goal tally to two.  Teammate Henrikh Mkhitaryan had scored in the 37th minute before Iwobi converted an opportunity four minutes later.

    The Gunners had missed two begging chances and even Iwobi would have scored a brace as he joined in missing chances just like two of this teammates including Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang. Iwobi was in action for 75 minutes before being substituted by France international Alexandre Lacazette.

    Chelsea had approached the match with all the seriousness it deserved, shooting into the lead as early as the 9th minute thanks to Pedro. Álvaro Morata increased the tally for the Blues thirteen minutes later while Marcos Alonso made it three in the 81st nminute .

    Despite Gunners loss however, former Super Eagles coach Sunday Oliseh was full of praise for Iwobi.

    Oliseh who laid initial foundation for Nigeria’s qualification for the recently ended 2018 World cup in Russia took to social media to express his delight over Iwobi’s performance especially in the first 45 minutes of the battle of Stamford Bridge Saturday. Iwobi’s exploits according to Oliseh is not only a plus for the Gunners but also a big boast for the Nation

    “Just love everything about Alex Iwobi’s performance this 1st half Chelsea vs Arsenal. Making Nigeria proud!!” he enthused. The victory is two wins from two under new boss Maurizio Sarri. The loss also marks two defeats in two matches for new Arsenal coach Unai Emery who is stepping in after the club operated 22 years under former coach Arsene Wenger.

    Iwobi after the match admitted that the first half was shaky for the Gunners but insisted that the future remains bright for the Emirates landlords.  “We will certainly take the positives and improve on it,” he submitted

    There was however no action for Chelsea star Victor Moses who recently announced he has retired from international football to enable him concentrate on family and club football.

  • FT: Arsenal 0-2 Man City

    • FT: Arsenal 0-2 Man City
    • Superb Sterling opener (14)
    • Silva makes it two (64)
    • Renault Super Sunday clash

    GOAL! ARSENAL 0-2 MAN CITY (Silva, 64)

    And just like that, it’s 2-0!

    Mendy races down the field before playing in Sterling over on the left. The left-back then receives the ball back on the overlap and cuts back for Silva inside the area.

    It’s then a superb, sweeping finish from the Portuguese midfielder and despite Arsenal’s recent dominance, Man City are the ones to add to their lead.

     

    GOAL! ARSENAL 0-1 MAN CITY (Sterling, 14)

    It was a wonderful goal from Sterling and Man City are on the scoresheet 14 minutes into their title defence. 

    He picked up the ball on the top left corner before trotting across the top of the area, beating Bellering, and striking, sending the ball flying past Cech in the goal.

    Arsenal host champions Man City at the Emirates.

    It is a baptism of fire for Unai Emery, who takes charge of his first league game, while Pep Guardiola’s side have already got off to a winning start after lifting the Community Shield last weekend.

    MAN CITY TEAM NEWS

    Team to play Arsenal: Ederson, Walker, Stones, Laporte, Mendy, Silva, Fernandinho, Gundogan, Mahrez, Aguero, Sterling.

    Subs: Bravo, Kompany, De Bruyne, Sane, Otamendi, Jesus, Foden.

    ARSENAL TEAM NEWS

    Team to play Man City: Cech, Bellerin, Sokratis, Mustafi, Maitland-Niles, Guendouzi, Xhaka, Mkhitaryan, Ramsey, Ozil, Aubameyang.

    Subs: Leno, Elneny, Lacazette, Torreira, Lichtsteiner, Holding, Iwobi.

    As Arsenal start at home for the seventh year running, the Emirates might be the best place to be on Premier League opening weekend for a third season in a row.

    Last year the Gunners beat Leicester City 4-3, while in 2016 they lost by the same score to Liverpool… and now it’s another opener that promises goals.

    Arsenal should get plenty as the season goes on – in Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Alexandre Lacazette they have two of the top seven favourites to be the league’s top scorer -but keeping goals out is Unai Emery’s priority.

    That’s an almost impossible task against City, who set out to defend their title the same as last season – plus Riyad Mahrez. Frightening.

  • West Ham sign striker Perez from Arsenal

    West Ham United has signed striker Lucas Perez from Arsenal on a three-year contract, both English Premier League clubs confirmed on Thursday.

    The 29-year-old is West Ham’s seventh signing of the close season.

    Financial details of the deal were not disclosed, but local media said West Ham had paid about 4 million pounds for the Spaniard.

    Perez joined Arsenal in August 2016 from Deportivo la Coruna but started just two Premier League games for the London club, making another nine appearances off the bench.

    He was later loaned back to the Spanish side the following season.

    “I’m very happy to be here at such an historic club,” he said in a statement on West Ham’s website.

    “I’m very excited, as West Ham are giving me the chance to stay in the Premier League and I’m very happy to be part of this new project.”

    West Ham director of football Mario Husillos said Perez’s arrival would increase new manager Manuel Pellegrini’s options upfront.

    This is in view of the fact that Andy Carroll is set to miss West Ham’s season opener at Liverpool on Sunday due to injury.

    Read Also: Ronaldo’s son strikes a very familiar pose

    “His style is different from the other strikers we have available to us, and that gives the manager more options for our attacking play,” Husillos said.

    “Lucas also has experience of the Premier League with Arsenal, and is familiar with life here in London, which of course means that he will take less time to adapt and be ready.”

    The English transfer window closes at 1600 GMT (05:00 p.m. BST) on Thursday.

  • Arsenal Shares: Kroneke’s fresh offer dims Dangote’s desire

    The desire of African richest man Nigeria’s Aliko Dangote to become part owner of English premier league side Arsenal may have finally hit the rocks after American billionaire Stan Kroenke declared a fresh desire to have complete control of the club.
    Kroenke according to latest report made an offer to minority owner Alisher Usmanov tabling his readiness to take complete control of the club. Arsenal’s current value is put at £1.8billion.
    Dangote has never hidden his love for the Emirates landlords while his desire to have a pie in the club has continued to prop up in the media circles every now and then.
     The international business mogul had at a time indicated his intension to have at least 16% share of the club, but with the current development it does appear that the desire will again return to the cooler.  Dangote is however not the only one with such passion for the Gunners who are hoping not only to return to winning ways but also  intensify quest for trophies with new coach Unai Emery .
    Rwandan President Paul kagame is equally a lover of the Gunners and there is no doubting the fact that both men will be praying for the team to do well as the new season kicks off Friday.  The Gunners flag off their quest for glory 2018/19 season with a home tie against defending champions on Sunday.
    Arsenal showed impressive run their first pre-season under Unai Emery with a convincing 2-0 win over Lazio in Stockholm as Reiss Nelson and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang found the net.