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Tag: arsenal

  • Iwobi signs new Arsenal deal, vows to do more

     

    Super Eagles forward Alex Iwobi has signed a new “long-term” contract with Arsenal, the Gunners announced Friday

    Head coach Unai Emery hinted last month Iwobi was close to agreeing new terms and the Nigeria international has now put pen to paper.

    Iwobi’s new contract is reported to be a five-year deal that will commit the 22-year-old to the club through to 2023.

    “I’m very pleased Alex has signed a new contract with us,” said Emery.

    “He is a great example of a player who can succeed from the academy through hard work and I look forward to working with him and our other talented young players in the squad.”

    Iwobi who put up a good show at the World Cup in Russia despite the Eagles inability to go beyond the first round, expressed satisfaction with his new deal adding that it is yet an opportunity to do more for a club that has always been after his heart from childhood.

    “It’s always been my childhood dream to represent Arsenal,” Iwobi told Arsenal’s official website.

    “To get an extended contract is an amazing feeling and I hope I’m doing the Arsenal family proud, as well as my family.

    “The first kit that I had was Arsenal and long may I continue to represent them.

    “I always realise that I have to be representing the team and giving 100 per cent at all times. It’s not just myself or my family I’m representing, I also represent the people and the younger generation as well.”

    Iwobi who had an excellent bond with former Gunners coach Arsene Wenger has already made his way into good books of the new coach Unai Emery, an indication that the Nigerian international will equally have an impressive atmosphere to showcase his talent .

     

     

     

     

     

     

  • Arsenal deny chief executive Gazidis resignation

    Arsenal FC of England has denied reports that its chief executive, Ivan Gazidis, has accepted an offer that would see him leave the club.

    Gazidis, who has enjoyed a stable tenure at the London club and built a cordial relationship with former coach Arsene Wenger, was reported to have decided to part ways with the club.

    He was rumoured to be heading to Italian giants AC Milan from the beginning of the 2018/2019 season.

    But according to a statement by Chips Keswick, Chairman of Arsenal Football FC, published on the club’s official website, the chief executive has no such offers.

    Read Also: Wenger regrets staying at Arsenal for 22 years

    He, however, admitted that Gazidis always receives luring offers due to his huge popularity.

    “We are aware of the speculation surrounding our chief executive Ivan Gazidis. We know he receives many offers from organisations inside and outside the game as he’s a hugely respected figure.

    “He has never accepted any of these opportunities and has never spoken about them publicly.

    “He has always been fully committed to taking Arsenal forward and is currently working hard in Singapore with new head coach Unai Emery as we prepare for the new season,” the statement said.

  • Twenty two years @ the Emirates a mistake-Wenger

     

    Arsene Wenger has admitted staying at Arsenal for 22 years was “perhaps” the biggest mistake of his managerial career.

    The 68-year-old, who was appointed on October 1, 1996, stepped down as Gunners boss in May after winning three Premier League titles and seven FA Cups.

    The Frenchman left Arsenal with a year remaining on his contract after his side missed out on Champions League qualification for a second consecutive season and he admitted he now looks back on his time in north London with a tinge of regret.

    In a wide-ranging interview with French outlet RTL, Wenger had this to say when asked what the biggest mistake of his career was: “Perhaps staying at the same club for 22 years.

    “I am someone who likes to move around a lot, but I also like a challenge. I’ve been a prisoner of my own challenge at times.”

    Wenger also revealed his obsession with ensuring Arsenal’s success on the field had a heavy toll on his personal life it and questioned whether that is a price his former players Thierry Henry and Patrick Vieira, who have both moved into coaching, would be willing to pay.

    “I regret having sacrificed everything I did because I realise I’ve hurt a lot of people around me. I’ve neglected a lot of people. I’ve neglected my family, I’ve neglected many close ones,” Wenger admitted.

    “Deep down though, the obsessed man is selfish in his pursuit of what he loves. He ignores a lot of other things. But it’s a bone to chase at the same time.

    “Often, I’m asked if Thierry Henry and Patrick Vieira will be good managers and I always answer yes. They have all the qualities; they’re intelligent, they know football, they have excellent skill but do they want to sacrifice what needs to be sacrificed. It’s an obsession which bounces around your head day and night.

    “You wake up at 3am thinking about team selection, tactics, formation…”

    Wenger also revealed he turned down the opportunity to manage his native France on numerous occasions.

    He is now contemplating whether a move into international management would suit him and expects to make a decision on his future “in the next few months”.

     

     

     

     

     

     

  • Arsenal appoint Emery as new manager

    Arsenal have appointed former Paris St Germain coach Unai Emery as the new manager of the club, with the Spaniard succeeding the long-serving Arsene Wenger, the Premier League club announced on Wednesday.

    Emery, who joined PSG in June 2016, left the French club at the end of this season, having led them to a domestic treble.

    The 46-year-old had previously guided Spanish side Sevilla to three Europa League titles.
    “Unai has an outstanding track record of success throughout his career.

    Read Also: Wenger urges successor to ‘respect’ Arsenal values

    “He has also developed some of the best young talents in Europe and plays an exciting, progressive style of football that fits Arsenal perfectly,” Arsenal chief executive Ivan Gazidis said in a statement.

    “His hard work and passionate approach and his sense of value on and off the pitch make him the ideal person to take us forward,” Gazidis said.

    Wenger departed the North London club at the end of last season after nearly 22 years at the helm, helping the team capture three Premier League titles and seven FA Cups.

  • Wenger to decide next move by June 14

     

    Former Arsenal Manager Arsene Wenger has hinted he will decide his next move on June 14, incidentally the kick off date of the next World cup in Russia.

    ‘It’s just too soon to know what I will do next, I haven’t even emptied my desk yet and in a way I am still in a state of shock,’ he told The Guardian.

    ‘I am going to give myself until June 14, the day the World Cup begins, to decide.

    ‘The question is do I still want to coach, to be on the bench, or is it time to take up different functions? The one thing I can say for sure is that I will continue to work.

    ‘But do I want to continue to suffer as much? I want to continue to defend my ideas of football, that’s for sure. Spontaneously, I would say I still want to coach but I can’t really say that yet for sure.’

    ‘The one thing I can say for sure is that I will continue to work, but do I want to continue to suffer as much? I want to continue to defend my ideas of football, that’s for sure.’

    The Frenchman who reluctantly left the Emirates after 22 years cleared his desk on Monday from the Colney training facility.

    He  was pictured signing autographs and waving to fans as he left the complex.

    The 68-year-old arrived early in the morning and spent over four years at the ground, walking the pitches and bidding farewell to members of staff

    Wenger, joined by coaches Steve Bould and Boro Primorac, needed two cars to empty all of his things from his office and did his best to put on a brave face on what was undoubtedly an emotional day for him.

    The manager admitted last week that he still hadn’t had a chance to clear out his belongings and that it would be a tough moment when he did.

    Pressure mounted on Wenger last season having missed out on the top four – and therefore a Champions League place – and another disappointing campaign in which they finished sixth saw him wrap up his time in charge.

    He was linked with the Paris Saint-Germain job before Thomas Tuchel joined and could eye a Monaco return should Leonardo Jardim depart this summer.

  • Guardiola hopes Arteta would ignore Arsenal overtures

    Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola said he would understand if assistant coach Mikel Arteta was lured to Arsenal to become their next manager,

    But he hopes the Spaniard remains at the Premier League champions to finish what they started.

    Guardiola’s assistant at City since 2016, former Arsenal Captain Arteta has been mentioned as one of the leading contenders to succeed Arsene Wenger, who brought the curtain down on his 22-year reign at the London club on Sunday.

    “Mikel’s contribution has been amazing,” Guardiola told reporters after City’s 1-0 win over Southampton.

    Read Also: Misconduct: Guardiola, Liverpool to know fate May 31.

    “We work together so good and him staying will (make me) the happiest guy in the world.

    “If he decides to move because he has this offer, I will not say you don’t have to go. I want the best for my friends.

    “I will be so sad, but I will understand his position. It is his career, his life, but hopefully he can stay and finish what we started.”

    Former midfielder Arteta made 150 appearances for Arsenal under Wenger from 2011 to 2016. \

    NAN

     

  • Kagame, Dangote still committed to Arsenal

     

    If there is one thing Rwandan President Paul kagame and Africa’s richest man Aliko Dangote have in common, it is their love for English Premier League side Arsenal.

    The two Africans have never hidden their love for the Emirates Stadium landlords who unfortunately have been finding it difficult to win trophies for a long time.

    While some fans of the Gunners have since withdrawn their support citing the club’s inability to win trophies, both men have religiously remained with the club.

    It is public knowledge that Dangote made spirited effort in the past to buy at least 16% stake in the 132 year old club which has not materialised. He had hinted amidst that widely reported bid then that he would ensure a turnaround of the club if the bid scales through.

    The turnaround equally included showing French man Arsene Wenger who is finally leaving the club after 22 years the door.  It is not known yet whether the Nigerian business mogul will be re-submitting a bid in future with Wenger now out of the club. Despite the club’s unimpressive run however, the 61 year old business mogul reportedly remains a die-hard lover of the club.

    President Kagame on his part declared that he is still a committed fan of the club.

    Taking to his twitter handle@PaulKagame, after the club crashed out of Europa on Thursday, the President regretted that Wenger was leaving on a low.

    “My take on my beloved Club Arsenal- a very good one at the game and a very good coach like a.Wenger, this should not have been the kind of ending of an era. The coach is leaving and club trophy-less it was long coming! I am still a committed fan going forward :). Blame the owners” he submitted

    He however expressed hope that the Gunners can return to their rightful place as top contenders in the round leather game.

    “All the best to all involved! We still need Arsenal to go back where it belongs- up there among the best in the game!” the President added

  • I am prepared for Russia – Iwobi

    Super Eagles striker, Alex Iwobi has declared that he is fully prepared for the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia. He strongly believes that he will do well in the mundial.

    Iwobi, whose goal sealed Nigeria’s place in the World Cup, in the 1-0 victory over Zambia on 7th October 2017, told FIFA.Com that he knows what to expect in his first appearance at the biggest football tournament on earth, going by the regular trainings he has received with world-class players.

    “The fact that I have been training with world-class players every day has given me a bit of experience, so I know what to expect in Russia,” Iwobi said. “The intensity I train at with Arsenal is very high, so I’m preparing in a good way.

    Read Also: How Iwobi achieved ‘Uncle Jay Jay’s’ feat

    “It was always my dream as a kid, so I can’t wait to be involved. I’m looking forward to the atmosphere and wearing the colours of Nigeria. I feel like I can do well.”

    Speaking on his reactions to the goal that qualified the Super Eagles to the World Cup, Iwobi said he would never have guessed doing something like that early in his career.

    “It is difficult to describe, as the feeling was crazy. I remember looking at the crowd and seeing my parents jumping. I almost cried, it was emotional. I would never have guessed that I would do something like that so early in my career. I had dreams about it, but the fact that my dreams came true – I can’t put into words how I felt.

    “After the game I went to the hotel and my mum and dad were both there. Just seeing them, I almost burst into tears again.”

    Nigeria begins their 2018 FIFA World Cup campaign against Croatia on 16th June, then they book a date against Iceland on 22nd June, four days before their final group match against familiar foes, Argentina whom the Eagles have lost to by a one-goal margin in four previous meetings at the World Cup.

  • Wenger got £9m to leave at the end of season

     

    If you think that Arsene Wenger decision to leave at the end of the season was arrived at on a platter, then you are very wrong.  It has now been revealed that the Frenchman who is still having a year contract left was handed a £9million please go in peace cheque to make the agreement come to pass.

    The Frenchman announced on Friday that he was leaving the Emirates this summer after 22 years in charge of the club.

    The 68-year-old claimed it was ‘the right time for me to step down’, but it now emerges that he was forced out under pressure from the US owners.

    Instead Wenger lost the support of owner Stan Kroenke, who decided to act ahead of the Europa League semi-final against Atletico Madrid next week.

    Wenger had no intention of leaving the club, forcing them to pay off the final year of his salary in full.

    Having missed out on Champions League football this season and way off the pace in the league, the Gunners need to win the Europa League to return to the top table of European football.

    The board hope announcing his departure early will galvanise the fan base and the players ahead of the must-win tie.

    Chief executive Ivan Gazidis hailed Wenger on Friday evening but would not be drawn on the talks which led to his departure.

    Instead he heaped praise on the long-serving boss and admitted finding a replacement would be a tall order.

    ‘I have often said (replacing Wenger) is the biggest challenge we face,’ Gazidis said.

    ‘In the coming months the world will see the unity and power of this football club, and the people within it.

    ‘We are not going to find a replacement for Arsene Wenger – we have to find a new path forward.

    ‘Arsene often said his aim was to leave the club in a better position than when he found it and we are in a better place today than we could have ever imagined 22 years ago,’ he added.

    Wenger released a statement on the club website announcing his imminent exit.

    In it, Wenger said: ‘After careful consideration and following discussions with the club, I feel it is the right time for me to step down at the end of the season.

    ‘I am grateful for having had the privilege to serve the club for so many memorable years.

    ‘I managed the club with full commitment and integrity.

    ‘I want to thank the staff, the players, the directors and the fans who make this club so special.’

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

  • Breaking: Wenger to leave Arsenal at the end of season

    Arsenal manager, Arsene Wenger has announced that he will resign as the club manager at the end of the season.

    The 68-year-old took charge of the club in 1996 and guided them to three Premier League titles and seven FA Cups.

    He has been under intense pressure after the club finished outside the league’s top four last season for the first time since Wenger arrived at the club in 1996, and are now 14 points behind fourth-placed Tottenham, with five matches remaining.

    Wenger in a statement posted on Arsenal website, said it was time for him to step down.

    “After careful consideration and following discussions with the club, I feel it is the right time for me to step down at the end of the season.

    “I am grateful for having had the privilege to serve the club for so many memorable years.

    “I managed the club with full commitment and integrity.

    “I want to thank the staff, the players, the Directors and the fans who make this club so special.

    “I urge our fans to stand behind the team to finish on a high.

    “To all the Arsenal lovers take care of the values of the club. My love and support for ever.”

    Arsenal Majority owner Stan Kroenke said Wenger had an exceptional record that will never be matched at the club.
    “This is one of the most difficult days we have ever had in all our years in sport. One of the main reasons we got involved with Arsenal was because of what Arsène has brought to the club on and off the pitch” he said.
    “His longevity and consistency over such a sustained period at the highest level of the game will never be matched”.

    “Arsène has unparalleled class and we will always be grateful to him. Everyone who loves Arsenal and everyone who loves football owes him a debt of gratitude. Three Premier League titles, including an entire season unbeaten, seven FA Cup triumphs and 20 successive years in the Champions League is an exceptional record. He has also transformed the identity of our club and of English football with his vision for how the game can be played”.

    “We have high ambitions to build on Arsène’s remarkable tenure and to honour his vision by ensuring that Arsenal competes for and wins the biggest and most important prizes in the game.

    “We must now focus on making a strong finish to the season and ask our millions of fans around the world to join us in paying appropriate tribute to one of the greats of Arsenal’s history and one of the greats of the game.”

    Arsène will lead the team to the end of the season and we will make an appointment as soon as possible. The club will not be making any further comment on the selection process until an appointment is made.

    Arsenal will face Atletico Madrid in the Europa League semi-final with the first leg to come on April 26