The Nation Newspaper

Tag: arsenal

  • Arsenal pens £200m shirt sponsorship deal

    Arsenal pens £200m shirt sponsorship deal

     

    Arsenal have announced a five-year £200million extension to their contract with shirt sponsors Emirates in a deal described as the largest in the club’s history.

    Emirates, who also own the naming rights to the stadium, will continue to sponsor Arsenal’s shirts and training kit until the end of the 2023-24 season.

    The contract is worth £40m a year and continues Arsenal’s partnership with the Dubai-based company which began when the Gunners moved from Highbury to the new ground in 2006.

    The deal continues the longest-running sponsorship partnership in the Premier League and Arsenal chief executive Ivan Gazidis told the club’s website it will provide the investment required for them continue to compete for silverware.

    ‘Our shirt partnership is the longest running in the Premier League and one of the longest relationships in world sport,’ said Gazidis. ‘This mutual commitment is testimony to the strength and depth of our unique relationship.

    ‘Emirates are again demonstrating their great belief in our approach and ambition and their significantly increased

    investment will help us continue to compete for trophies and bring more success to the club and our fans around the world.’

    Arsenal have been searching for a new shirt sponsorship deal since June 2017 amid suggestions that Emirates were only interested in maintaining their naming rights on the stadium.

    The Gunners were thought to have been interested in separating their kit deal from the stadium deal to maximise revenue but later hit out at suggestions they would end their shirt sponsorship agreement.

    And Arsenal have now struck a renewed deal with Emirates, who also sponsor Real Madrid, Paris Saint-Germain, AC Milan, Benfica, Olympiacos and Hamburg shirts

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

  • Aubameyang inspects £16million mansion in London

    Aubameyang inspects £16million mansion in London

     

    It was a case of division of labour  o for Arsenal and the club’s new sign Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang on Thursday. While the Gunners were playing Europa League football in sub-zero temperatures in Sweden, the Gabon international was using his free time to go house-hunting.

    The 28-year-old, who signed from Borussia Dortmund in a £56million deal last month, is looking for property in north

    London and took a look at a stunning £16m mansion.

    The six-bedroom house was built just four years ago and designed from start to finish by Kelly Hoppen, an interior designer who has previously worked for the Beckhams and was a ‘Dragon’ on BBC show Dragons’ Den.

    The luxury property boasts six bathrooms, five shower rooms, three dressing rooms, a study and drawing room as well as the usual reception hall, dining room, kitchen and sitting room.

    And that’s not to mention a fully-equipped gymnasium, a home cinema, swimming pool and a fully landscaped 129-foot garden.

    It’s a home that would certainly offer the Gabon international plenty of room to spread out in when not banging in goals for Arsenal.

    It was designed by Kelly Hoppen – who once dated former England and Arsenal defender, Sol Campbell.

    The 58-year-old, who was awarded the Order of the British Empire in 2009 for services to Interior Design, also leant her design credentials to Christine and Frank Lampard’s West London home, which similarly boasts a basement swimming pool, gym and cinema.

    Aubameyang made a great start to life at Arsenal when he scored on debut in the 5-1 thrashing of Everton, having completed his move on Deadline Day.

    He is ineligible to play in the Europa League having turned out for Dortmund in the Champions League group stage, but his team-mates didn’t seem to miss him too much as they cruised to a 3-0 win over Ostersunds.

    Nacho Monreal set them on their way, before a Sotirios Papagiannopoulos own goal doubled their lead shortly afterwards.

    Mesut Ozil completed a comfortable night’s work in the second half.

    Aubameyang also spent his day off cleaning his fleet of expensive cars, including his gold Range Rover Sport Mansory and his Ferrari 812 Superfast.

  • Wenger admits Arsenal’s defeat a massive blow

    Wenger admits Arsenal’s defeat a massive blow

     

    Arsene Wenger admitted his hopes of a top-four finish and a swift return to the Champions League had taken a serious blow at the hands of Tottenham.

    Arsenal trail seven points behind their north London neighbours after the 1-0 defeat at Wembley and are five points adrift of fifth-placed Chelsea, who play at home to West Bromwich Albion, on Monday.

    ‘This was a game we couldn’t afford to lose,’ said Wenger. ‘That makes it much more difficult now but we have to fight as long as we have a mathematical chance.

    ‘There was more at stake than the derby, I said that before the game, and that is why it is so disappointing to lose the way we lost it.’

    The Arsenal boss refused to embrace the possible consolation of claiming a ticket to the Champions League by winning the Europa League, as Manchester United did last year.

    ‘It is too early,’ said Wenger. ‘Football is not about switching off for three games and switching it on for one game.

    ‘Man United decided that once they were in the semi-final but we are far from the semi-final and I think we have to fight to have a chance to come back.

    ‘Overall it is a very disappointing result because the priority has to be to get to the Champions League through the Premier League.

    ‘I am not a great fan of the Europa League being a qualifier for the Champions League because I think it is not right.

    ‘If it is an opportunity we will have to try to take it as well but the priority is still the Premier League.’

    Arsenal’s next game in away against Ostersunds of Sweden, on Thursday, in the last 32 of the Europa League.

    Just seven days on from a five-goal demolition of Everton and Arsene Wenger was bemoaning the lack of creativity, wastefulness and mental fortitude of his Arsenal team as the revival quickly came unstuck.

    January signings, Henrikh Mkhitaryan, so influential a week earlier, and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, were easily silenced by Tottenham.

    Mesut Ozil, forced wide in a tactical switch to accommodate another central midfielder, promptly disappeared.

    And Alex Lacazette, a £53million summer signing displaced by the much-trumpeted arrival of the even more costly Aubameyang, was understandably devoid of confidence when he came on as a late substitute.

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

  • EPL player Pennant caught in webcam sex show

    EPL player Pennant caught in webcam sex show

     

    Former Premier League footballer Jermaine Pennant has reportedly been caught starring in webcam sex shows with his glamour model wife.

    Pennant, 35, is said to have been identified taking part in the seedy online videos by the distinctive ‘love’ tattoo on his right hand.

    His wife, Alice Goodwin, 32, allegedly charges strangers £6 a minute for one-to-one sessions on X-rated websites, and Pennant is said to have taken part in one.

    Alice is well known for her webcam work and features on websites adultwork.com as well as the Babestation site.

    She previously boasted about ‘girl on girl baby oil shows’ and recently she tweeted: ‘Hey boys I’m doing a college girl special on BabestationCams. Don’t miss it.’

    Her online profile reads: ‘I’m looking forward to having some naughty 1 to 1 fun with you all on webcam.’

    On BabestationCams, Alice says: ‘Please message me with the date and time you would like to get naughty with me!’

    Pennant enjoyed a lucrative career that saw him play for clubs including Arsenal, Liverpool and Birmingham City.

    He infamously became the first Premier League player to play while wearing an electronic tag following a drink-drive crash. He currently plays for non-league side Billericay Town. Pennant said he was not aware of the footage.

  • English players are masters of diving, Wenger says

    English players are masters of diving, Wenger says

    Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger weighed into the debate about simulation in the English Premier League on Thursday by suggesting that English players may have become “the masters of diving”.

    Wenger made the statement ahead of the north London derby against Tottenham Hotspur at Wembley, and was speaking as the fallout continued from last weekend’s 2-2 draw between Liverpool and Spurs.

    During the match, Tottenham’s Dele Alli was booked for diving and Harry Kane was accused of falling too easily to win a penalty kick under a challenge from goalkeeper Loris Karius.

    Spurs manager Mauricio Pochettino had defended his players by saying part of football is about “tricking the opponent’’.

    However, Wenger believes those comments have been blown out of proportion, saying simulation was an increasing problem.

    “We have to get the diving out of the game,” the Frenchman told a news conference on Thursday.

    “I remember there were tremendous cases here when foreign players did it, but I must say the English players have learned very quickly and they might even be the masters now.”

    Alli has been particularly criticised after receiving his third caution for simulation.

    Wenger did not name the England midfielder but said there is a fine line between what is legal and what is not.

    “I don’t encourage my players to dive. But sometimes you want your players to be intelligent. They have played a little bit with the rules, they make more of it on the penalty kick case,” he said.

    “Every striker will do that. They extend a little bit of the rules. How far can you go? That is down to the referees and I think that sometimes, at normal speed, it is very difficult to determine.”

    Wenger will decide on Friday whether to play Petr Cech or David Ospina in goal as the Czech continues to recover from a calf injury.

    The injury led to his substitution in Saturday’s 5-1 win over Everton.

    “Cech or Ospina, I will make that decision tomorrow,” said Wenger. “Petr Cech has not practiced, but I will not take any risk if he is not 100 per cent fit.”

    The Frenchman also hopes to have Nacho Monreal and Danny Welbeck available for the game.

    It is the first time Wenger has taken Arsenal to play Spurs at Wembley, a ground where the Gunners traditionally thrive, winning the FA Cup final in 2014, 2015 and 2017.

    “We feel we have a good level of performance at Wembley. It gives you a good pitch to allow you to play the way you want to,” said Wenger.

    The Arsenal manager will face Spurs for the 52nd time in his 22 years as Arsenal manager.

     

  • Eboue ready to go anywhere just to play

    Eboue ready to go anywhere just to play

     

    Former Arsenal and Ivorian defender Emmanuel Eboue has admitted he is desperate to return to the football pitch following the revelation of his heartbreaking personal struggles.

    The Gunners’ cult hero previously revealed he had seriously considered taking his own life after financial mismanagement had left him penniless, with a bitter divorce meaning he has been estranged from his three children since the summer.

    Eboue has now opened up about his recent downward spiral, insisting he wants to play football again as he feels ‘abandoned’ and ‘completely alone’.

    Although Turkish side Galatasaray initially indicated an interest in giving him a coaching job in the club’s junior team, it is apparent that that promise is yet to be fulfilled.

    The free agent told French TV show Canal: ‘All I want is to return to football once more. I still possess ability.

    ‘I would even go to places like Baghdad or Pakistan just to play football. I don’t care where.

    ‘I live with my bags already packed, as there is a chance I could be kicked out of my house.

    ‘I don’t have anyone by my side nowadays. I feel abandoned. I used to get on well with my children and my family, and now I am completely alone.’

    At the height of his career at the Emirates he took home a seven-digit sum every year during his time in North London, earning a further £1.5 million annually playing for Turkish giants Galatasaray.

    However, with his former wife Aurelie being awarded of all the couple’s assets, he has been forced to dodge police and bailiffs following a court order – insisting he hand over his home in Enfield to her.

    Heartbreakingly, Eboue has been unable to visit his kids since the estrangement from Aurelie back in June last year.

    The 34-year-old, who once played in a Champions League final for Arsenal against Barcelona in 2006, has been hit hard with misfortune. Only recently report went viral that he had committed suicide at his sister’s place in London, a report that was later discredited.

    Some of his fans who read the initial death story and then the ture position thanked God that he didn’t end his life that way.

    Some prayed for him in the hope that either Galatasaray or Arsenal will remedy his situation.

    However those still angered by the legal battle with his wife that led to loss of everything, believe he can still head back to court if he is lucky to get a job and earn some money, accusing the wife of reaping where she did not sow

    Eboue who began his football career with Asec Mimosa of Cote d Ivoire, played for Belgian club K.S.K. Beveren, making 70 appearances and scoring four goals for the side before moving ahead to play for Arsenal and Galatasaray respectively making 132 and 77 appearances for the clubs respectively.

  • Fever may delay Aubameyang Arsenal debut

    Fever may delay Aubameyang Arsenal debut

     

    Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang’s Premier League debut may not come this weekend after Arsenal Wenger revealed the Arsenal striker is struggling with a fever.

    Aubameyang completed a deadline day move to the Emirates for a club record £56million as part of a convoluted process that saw Borussia Dortmund sign Michy Batshuayi on loan from Chelsea and Olivier Giroud move to Stamford Bridge.

    The Gabon international has been in fine form for Dortmund with 13 goals in 16 Bundesliga games.

    However, Arsenal fans may have to wait to see him in action after Wenger confirmed he is struggling to be ready for Saturday’s home clash against Everton.

    “Aubameyang, I have to assess how well he is physically today and how well he feels,” Wenger told a media conference.

    “He had a fever so he could not practice a lot – he started yesterday, was still not completely well.

    “I have to assess with the medical department how fit he can be.”

    Wenger expects Henrikh Mkhitaryan to make his first Gunners start after coming on as a substitute in the defeat at Swansea City on Tuesday.

    It is hoped the Armenia captain can reignite his relationship with old Dortmund colleague Aubameyang when both men are fully fit.

    “They are players who know each other well, they have had success together [before],” added Wenger.

    “I hope that they can link up like they did [at Dortmund].”

    The Gunners have slipped eight points off the Champions League qualification places after one win in their last five league games.

    Meanwhile Arsene Wenger has challenged Mesut Ozil to become a leader on the pitch for Arsenal after committing his future to the club.

    Ozil agreed a long-term contract at the Emirates Stadium on Thursday after speculation he could leave for free at the end of the season.

    The Germany international’s deal reportedly ties him to the club until 2021 and Ozil described the announcement as “one of the most important decisions of my footballing career”.

    With the playmaker’s future cleared up, Wenger expects to see Ozil raise his game on the pitch and help the Gunners in their quest for a top-four finish this season.

    “He [Ozil] has committed his future to the club in a period where we are in a tricky position in qualifying for the Champions League,” Wenger told a media conference.

    “What I expect from him is to lead the team to success [on the pitch].

    “Many had predicted he would not commit, it is good news for us, to keep a player of that calibre is good news.”

     

     

     

     

  • Arsenal seals £56m Aubameyang deal

    Arsenal seals £56m Aubameyang deal

     

    Arsenal have completed the club-record £56million signing of Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang from Borussia Dortmund.

    Dortmund confirmed the news on their Twitter account on Wednesday, before Arsenal then shared a series of pictures of Aubameyang posing in the club’s home kit, pulling a variety of animated poses. He has become the best-paid player in the club’s history on a three-and-a-half-year contract worth £180,000 per week.

    The 28-year-old striker is part of a transfer merry-go-round that will see Olivier Giroud leave the Gunners for Chelsea and Michy Batshuayi quit Stamford Bridge to replace Aubameyang at Dortmund.

    But Aumbameyang brings with him a bad-boy reputation, having been the subject of several disciplinary proceedings by Dortmund as he pushed for a move away from the club.

    A statement from Dortmund sporting director Michael Zorc alluded to the recent problems, saying: ‘Apart from the unpleasant events of recent weeks, we like to remember that the story of Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang at BVB for more than four years was a single success story.

    ‘He has done great things for Borussia Dortmund at this time, scored many important goals and is part of the team that brought the DFB Cup to Dortmund in 2017. We wish Pierre-Emerick all the best for his future at Arsenal.’

    The move for the explosive striker has been driven by Arsenal’s recently-appointed head of recruitment Sven Mislintat.

    At 28, he is likely to have little resale value. Similarly, his sometimes criticised attitude represents a shift from the type of personality the club have targeted under Arsene Wenger.

    The Arsenal manager and chief executive Ivan Gazidis arrived at their London Colney training ground on Wednesday morning as they tied up the Aubameyang deal.

    Wenger appeared in serious mood as he drove in just hours after his side’s humiliating 3-1 defeat at struggling Swansea.

    But the boss may well have a smile back on his face after completing the impressive signing of a striker who has excelled in the Bundesliga. He scored 141 goals in 212 appearances for Dortmund.

  • Campbell dreams coaching role at Arsenal

    Campbell dreams coaching role at Arsenal

     

    England legend Sol Campbell has opened the door to a return to former side Arsenal in a coaching capacity.

    Campbell, who was named Trinidad and Tobago assistant manager in January 2017, is hoping to land a day-to-day coaching role and is targeting a move back to north London.

    The 43-year-old former centre back, speaking to talkSPORT, said of a return to Arsenal: ‘I’d crawl there. If that situation happened, I’d be there like a shot.

    Campbell was appointed Trinidad and Tobago assistant manager in January 2017

    ‘I want to be back in there, I want to be managing and coaching. I’m a leader. I was captain early on in my career with Tottenham at the age of 22 and was one of the youngest captains for England.

    ‘I know how to take the stress on my shoulders and under pressure in know how to win. I love the pressure.

    ‘I have so much to offer in all different capacities when it comes of football managing and coaching, because I’m a detail man – that’s how I got to the top and stayed at the top.’

    Campbell won two Premier League titles and the FA Cup on two occasions during his first spell at the club between 2001 and 2006. He later sealed a move back to the red half of north London for half a season in 2010.

    A section of Arsenal fans once again called for Arsene Wenger to leave the Emirates Stadium following their disappointing 2-1 defeat by Bournemouth on Sunday.

    Wenger, who has another season left to run on his current deal, is unlikely to be moved by more calls for him to stand down.

  • ‘Stay away from Arshavin or lose your fingers’

    ‘Stay away from Arshavin or lose your fingers’

     

    Andrey Arshavin’s wife Alisa Arshavina has expressed her readiness to cut off the fingers of a model Olga Semenova after she was caught on a video  in compromising situation with her husband in a restaurant

    Alisa Arshavina, 35, reportedly contacted Olga Semenova after she was filmed with Arshavin, in a restaurant in Almaty, Kazakhstan where he now plays for a local team.

    Ms Semenova claims Mrs Arshravina threatened to cut off her fingers and report her to Russian police for drugs possession.

    The footage emerged on social media, showing 36-year-old Arshavin, who played for Arsenal from 2009 to 2013,  with his arms around the curvaceous model.

    Ms Semenova says that after the video was shared online, she received a message from Mrs Arshavina asking what she thought she was doing with her husband.

    The model adds that Mrs Arshavina then sent her a separate message claiming to be a federal agent – but had failed to log out of her personal account.

    Ms Semenova said: ‘After a while she introduced herself as a member of the FSB (while using the same account). She believes that everybody in Almaty throws themselves on her husband.’

    Mrs Arshavina also reportedly warned Ms Semenova that she would be coming to Kazakhstan soon and ominously wished her luck.

    The model stressed that she and Arshavin, who now plays for Kazakh team FC Kairat, were among a group of friends enjoying dinner together and she had not expected ‘an innocent game’ would have such consequences.

    Ms Semenova added: ‘Nobody has a right to humiliate me this way, insult me and, even more, threaten me with punishment. I earn well and lead a healthy lifestyle.’

    She says she is planning to raise the issue with police in Almaty and with sporting authorities.

    This is only the second scandal involving Mrs Arshavina to emerge this week, as she was thrown off a flight from Moscow to Almaty shortly after allegedly making threats against Ms Semenova.

    Russian media reports that Arshavin caused problems with the cabin crew as soon as she boarded by seating her nanny next to her in business class even though the nanny only had an economy ticket.

    She is said to have offered to pay extra for the seat change but went ahead with the switch anyway when refused.

    Her older daughter was also allowed to run around in the plane, and the whole issue ended up delaying the flight for two hours before the WAG was asked to leave.

    Mrs Arshavina herself claims she was thrown off the plane because her baby daughter’s nappy smelled too much.

    The couple married in September 2016 after Arshavin divorced his first wife Julia Baranovskaya following a nine-year marriage.

    In addition to a young daughter with Mrs Arshavina, the footballer has three children with his ex-wife.

    Mrs Arshavina announced in October last year that the couple were divorcing, but it appears they have put these plans on ice.