The Nation Newspaper

Tag: arsenal

  • Michael vows to upset Arsenal

    Michael vows to upset Arsenal

    Kryvbas’ whizkid Babatunde Michael is looking forward to facing Arsenal Kiev, former team of Nigerian international Michael Odibe in today’s clash.

    Michael fondly called ‘African Messi’ has remained one of the best entertaining youngsters in Ukraine this season and has been able to prove more of his potentials.

    The Nigerian, who possesses the quality to become one of the best wingers in the future, said playing in Ukraine is as a result of having a rough start but hope to get better and take another positive step to bigger stage.

    “Playing in Ukraine has exposed me to lots of things, the league is tough and I am very pleased starting from here, I believe making wave here will spur me to bigger clubs in europe but I am very happy to tell u that Kryvbas’ life sweet,” said Michael.

    “I am not doing bad in my club even though we are at 9th position on the table and beating Arsenal Kiev will gives us more confidence in beating the top teams. I am personally looking towards a victorious game and give all I can to ensure victory.”

    “They’re a proud club and will be out to prove a point this week but hopefully if we can play our own game we can do well.

  • Bordeaux ready to offer Arsenal ace escape route

    Bordeaux ready to offer Arsenal ace escape route

    Unwanted Arsenal striker Marouane Chamakh has been offered a lifeline by former club Bordeaux which could open the door for a high-profile replacement arriving at the Emirates in January.

    The president of the Ligue 1 club Jean-Louis Triaud has publicity declare interest in

    resigning the 28-year-old striker with Wenger eager to offload the striker and his

    £60,000-a-week wages out of the Emirates Stadium.

    Chamakh enjoyed a prolific eight-year stint at the French side between 2002 and 2010 and Triaud was clear that he would be welcomed back with open arms.

    “Chamakh could return. There is a serious chance. It is feasible for us and him but the

    choice is down to Arsenal,” he declared. “If he’s not happy then we are in a position to talk about it.

    “In December 2011, I sent a message to say the door was open for a return but Chamakh wanted to stay. Now the message is there again with the same objective.”

    However he did make clear that Bordeaux are unlikely to be able to match his Premier League salary and he would have to take significant wage cut to move back home.

    “Money is the key question because salaries in the Premier League are enormous,” he admitted, “but it’s also necessary for him to play.”

    If Chamakh does depart the club, Wenger could try to bring Llorente to the Emirates as he seeks to reinforce the strike force which remains under strength after the sale of former talisman Robin Van Persie to Manchester United in the summer.

  • Chelsea beats Arsenal 2-1

    Chelsea beats Arsenal 2-1

    Chelsea handed Arsenal its first loss of the season, winning 2-1 on Saturday to consolidate top spot in the Premier League.

    A free kick that glanced off Arsenal defender Laurent Koscielny into the net proved to be the winner in the 53rd minute, earning the European champions a fifth win in six league games and dealing a blow to one of their potential rivals for the title.

    So solid at the back this season, Arsenal’s defensive vulnerability returned at Emirates Stadium, looking unsure at set pieces with Fernando Torres beating Koscielny to another free kick by Mata to give Chelsea the lead in the 20th.

    “Defensively, we were not at the level we have to be in a game like this,” said Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger, who may regret the decision to play Koscielny ahead of the in-form Per Mertesacker.

    The spotlight was also on a center back for Chelsea, with John Terry playing just two days after being banned for four games for racially abusing an opponent in a league game last year.

    With the defender contemplating whether to appeal the suspension, he remained available for Chelsea and shrugged off constant jeers from the home fans to deliver a largely composed display.

    Terry was fooled by the good movement of Gervinho for Arsenal’s equalizer in the 42nd, however. The Ivory Coast international peeled off the former England captain before controlling a cross by Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and slamming an unforgiving close-range finish high into the net, maintaining his improvement this season after being handed the center-forward berth by Wenger.

    That was the first goal that Chelsea had conceded in four games but Roberto di Matteo’s side held on to secure victory in its toughest test yet this season, proving it has the mettle in defense and creativity up front to challenge the two Manchester clubs for the title.

    “I’m very pleased today with our performance,” Di Matteo said. “We played against a very good team and we didn’t allow Arsenal to get in a rhythm.”

     

     

     

  • Wenger: Arsenal should have won

    Wenger: Arsenal should have won

    Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger was pleased with his side’s performance against Manchester City but believes they should have taken all three points.

    The Gunners fell behind to a first-half header from Joleon Lescott before Laurent Koscielny struck an emphatic equaliser eight minutes from time to level the match at 1-1.

    Wenger was pleased with how his side acquitted themselves but admitted he was disappointed not to come away with the win.

    “It’s the minimum we deserved today,” he said.

    “I am pleased with the quality of the performance and our spirit but a bit frustrated because I felt there was room to do more.

    “We had early chances and very late chances. I’m thinking especially about Gervinho’s chance at the edge of the box where he missed the target.”