The Nation Newspaper

Tag: arsenal

  • Emenike apologies to fans

    Emenike apologies to fans

    AFTERMATH OF ARSENAL LOSS

    SUPER Eagles striker, Emmanuel Emenike has apologised to Fenerbahce fans following the team’s dismal showing in the UEFA Champions League play-off against Arsenal on Tuesday night.

    The Yellow Canaries were sacked from Europe’s elite club football after losing the first and second leg game to English Premier League giants, Arsenal 5-0.

    SportingLife gathered on Fenerbahce website after Emenike said: “Arsenal started the game well; as a result, they left the field with the result, so we are sorry.

    “It a sad outcome for us from the two games, we started well, but did not score. Could have been my lack of concentration in the first game, but in this game I started well.

    “We also had chances to score, but then I do not know what happened. I’m sorry about this result, “he said.

    Emenike also spoke on the performance as reflected on the field.

    “First, Arsenal played well, as they did the things they needed to do.

    “On performance, what can I say, I played very aggressively but it was a poor performance. To do this end, I’m not in the position to judge myself but people should,” he said.

  • Yobo doubtful for Arsenal

    Yobo doubtful for Arsenal

    Super Eagles skipper, Joseph Yobo is a major doubt for the UEFA Champions League play-off return leg against Arsenal at the Emirates on Tuesday.

    The Nigerian was not listed for the Yellow Canaries’ lone goal victory over Eskiehirspor last Saturday.

    SportingLife gathered that Yobo may have injured his left hand during the first leg 3-0 loss to the Gunners.

    The defender, who was singled out as one of the best performers in the defeat, did, however, train on Sunday at Fenebahce’s Bartu Facility as Ersun Yanal drilled his players for an hour and a half.

    Yobo was said to have been exempted from the warm-up session after complainning of pains in his hand.

  • UEFA Champions League: Fenerbahce test for Arsenal

    UEFA Champions League: Fenerbahce test for Arsenal

    English Premier League side Arsenal would face Turkish giants Fenerbahce in the Champions League play-off round after the draw was made on Friday at UEFA’s headquarters in Nyon.

    The Gunners, who lost the 2006 final 2-1 to Barcelona, travels to Istanbul for the first leg to be played August 20-21 before returning to London for the second leg a week later, AFP reports.

    However, Fenerbahce’s potential participation in the group stage depends on a ruling from the Court of Arbitration for Sport, expected at the end of the month, having been banned from European competition by UEFA for match-fixing in domestic competition.

    In the other pairings, AC Milan faces Dutch runners-up PSV Eindhoven — a rematch of the 2004-05 semi-finals which the Italians won on away goals — while French side Lyon would play Real Sociedad of Spain.

    German outfit Schalke was paired with Ukraine’s Metalist Kharkiv, who faces a UEFA hearing into match-fixing claims next Tuesday.

    Scottish champions Celtic was drawn against Kazakhstan challenger – Shakhter Karagandy.

     

     

  • Aneke joins Crewe on loan

    Aneke joins Crewe on loan

    Arsenal and League one club Crewe Alexandra have agreed a loan deal for Nigerian youngster Chuks Aneke, futaa.com reports.

    The England Under-19 midfielder, who spent two productive spells with Crewe last season, has been in talks with the club according to media reports earlier in the week.

    The youngster will now join Crewe on an initial six-month loan deal and could be available for the friendly game against Rotherham on Saturday.

    Crewe boss Steve Davis who told the BBC that he was keen to repeat the dose and he had a chat with the 20-year-old about the plans to bring him back to Gresty road.

    Aneke, who had a fantastic pre-season tour of Asia with Arsenal’s first team scored eight goals in 38 appearances during his last two loan spells at Crewe.

     

  • Ikpeba faults Oboabona Arsenal snub

    Ikpeba faults Oboabona Arsenal snub

    Former Africa Footballer of the Year, Victor Ikpeba, has said it was wrong for Godfrey Oboabona not to undergo trials with English Premier League side Arsenal.

    Oboabona has said it was disrespectful for Arsenal to ask him to undergo trials after what he has achieved with the Super Eagles.

    But Ikpeba, who played under Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger at French club Monaco, said the Sunshine Stars skipper got it wrong.

    Ikpeba told MTNFootball.com:”Oboabona was wrongly advised, he should have gone for the trials even if he does not make it into Arsenal, another English side would have seen him.

    “I know he would say he has won the AFCON and plays for Sunshine Stars but he should understand that it’s not the same way these European coaches view European and South America players they view African players.

    “Yes, we have talent but you need to understand how they play, adjust to their weather and a lot of things, so I think he should have gone for the trials because I know Arsene Wenger has a lot of respect for African players.”

     

  • Arsenal signs Nigeria bank deal

    Arsenal signs Nigeria bank deal

    English Premier League giants Arsenal has signed a three-year deal with a Nigerian bank as the club continues to extend its portfolio of Africa-focused commercial partnerships, futaa.com reports.

    The London Club who was close to coming to Nigeria for an exhibition game in 2012 as part of the new deal that would send Arsenal Soccer School coaches to undertake a youth coaching clinic on behalf of its new Nigerian partners

    Arsenal enjoy a large fan base in Nigeria and most companies are trying to cash in on that, currently two Nigerian youngsters Chuba Akpom and JudeAneke are doing well at the Gunners pre-season tour of Nwankwo Kanu.

    However, former Super Eagles skipper, Nwankwo Kanu remains the biggest Nigerian name to have featured for Arsenal; making over a hundred appearances and scoring 30 goals in his five year sojourn with the London club.

     

  • Wenger pledges future to Arsenal

    Wenger pledges future to Arsenal

    Despite an extensive trophy drought, Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has revealed he is ready to commit his future to the Gunners.

    In the course of the week, the French tactician began talks with the top hierarchy of the London club to secure a contract extension as his current deal with the Gunners expires next season, futaa.com reports.

    The long serving Arsenal coach had been linked with a summer move back to his native country to take over at Paris Saint-Germain, who had since appointed Laurent Blanc as Carlo Ancelotti’s successor.

    “I am committed to staying longer at this club. I’ve already had a chat with Ivan. It went very well, not a problem, futaa.com quoted Wenger as saying on Sky Sports on Saturday.

    “The link with PSG is there because I’m French and I know the owners. But if that was the case then I would be there already. I’m not at PSG because my heart is with Arsenal, he added.

     

  • Arsenal’s Higuain talks at ‘advanced stage’

    onzalo Higuain’s father has alerted Juventus that “nothing has yet been signed” with Arsenal, but talks are at an “advanced stage”.

    Higuain Sr played down suggestions that personal terms, worth a reported £130,000-per week, have already been agreed, but said the two parties are close to reaching a deal.

    Arsenal are ready to pay a club record fee in the region of £22 million for the Real Madrid striker, who is also coveted by the Serie A champions.

    “Nothing has yet been signed, but I can assure the negotiations between the clubs are at an advanced stage,” Jorge Higuain told La Repubblica.

    “We will not agree any contract before the clubs reach a deal on the transfer. I am sure Arsenal made a big offer, as have Juventus.”

    Read the original article on Football Italia – The ultimate website for English-speaking fans of Italian football.

  • Rooney transfer would be risky business, warns Tony Adams

    Arsenal legend Tony Adams has warned his former club that Wayne Rooney may not be mentally equipped to deal with a move to London.

    The Manchester United striker has been linked with a move to Arsenal after Sir Alex Ferguson claimed Rooney wanted out of Old Trafford last season – a claim the 27-year-old denies.

    However, despite the Gunners’ reported interest in Rooney, Adams has aired his concerns over the impact the bright lights of the capital would have on the England international.

    ‘I’m not sure Wayne Rooney could handle London, to be completely honest. That would be a massive risk for me,’ Adams told talkSPORT.

    ‘I don’t think it’s a question of finances. I think it’s his temperament and mentality. London is a different animal. I think it takes a different type of player [to handle it].

    ‘I think Wayne is unquestionably a super player and I’d love to see him at the Arsenal. Technically he’s a fantastic player but I’m not sure about him mentally, off the pitch, and his professionalism.

    ‘I know Sir Alex Ferguson has dealt with Wayne brilliantly over the last few years and I’m sure Arsene could handle him, but I’m not sure. I wouldn’t like to spend my money on Wayne.’

  • Wenger ‘worried’ Arsenal cannot ‘absorb the blows’ of defeat

    Wenger ‘worried’ Arsenal cannot ‘absorb the blows’ of defeat

    Humiliated by Blackburn Rovers in the FA Cup, outclassed by Bayern Munich in the Champions League and trailing their greatest rivals by seven points in the Premier League.

    The all-too familiar ‘business end’ capitulation that has taken place at Arsenal this season and the affect it may have on the players is a source of concern for Arsene Wenger.

    Technically the Gunners could still win the Champions League, but trailing their German opponents 3-1 after the first leg, few are backing them to advance – meaning another season with no silverware.

    But Arsenal still have all to fight for, with a top-four finish in the Premier League, and the Champions League qualification that comes with it, still in sight. It will be a tall order to haul in Chelsea, who are five points ahead, and rivals Tottenham, who are seven ahead after their victory in the north London derby.

    Wenger says he is ready for the fight but has admitted his concern about the mental state of his players and the impact it could have.

    Wenger said: “I am not worried about us potentially coming back against Bayern, I am more worried about consequences that could manifest in the heads of our players. You will never know how they can absorb those blows and how the team respond to disappointment. This is the most worrying aspect for me.

    “But from the experience of how to handle the end of the season, we know how to deal with that. We have had lots of experience. Of course, you are not feeling great if you can’t win, but we can stay solid or crack under the pressure. If you want to know, I am still solid but I can’t tell you that I feel great right now because my job is about winning games and when you lose you will not find a single coach in this world who feels very good.”

    Arsenal have arguably the easiest run-in of their rivals in the fight to secure Champions League football for a 16th consecutive season. Of the League’s top six, the Gunners only have to play Manchester United and Everton — both at home — but their final 10 matches begin with a difficult trip to Capital One Cup winners Swansea.

    Wenger’s side have not won on either of their visits to the Liberty Stadium since Swansea were promoted back to the Premier League.

    “We are in a situation right now where our objective is just to qualify for the Champions League — so we can’t drop points any more,” said the 63-year-old.

    “Contrary to our two cup defeats we are on a good run in the Premier League actually — with the two big blows in just three days in the cups. We need to recover, and that will define the rest of our season.”