The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Gunners

  • EPL: Stoppage-time goals earn Gunners late victory

    EPL: Stoppage-time goals earn Gunners late victory

    Arsenal scored twice in stoppage time to earn a dramatic victory over Leicester.

    A Wilfred Ndidi own goal in the 94th minute and a close-range Kai Havertz strike in the ninth minute of stoppage time denied a Foxes side who were within reach of an unlikely point at Emirates Stadium after clawing back a two-goal deficit in the second half.

    Gabriel Martinelli had given the dominant Gunners a deserved first-half lead when he steered home Jurrien Timber’s cross, before providing the pass for the second, converted by Leandro Trossard, on the stroke of half-time.

    Read Also: UCL: Arsenal legend Wright  tips Lookman to trouble Gunners

    Leicester had managed only one touch in the Arsenal area before the break, but they reduced the arrears a little over a minute into the second half when James Justin’s header from Facundo Buonanotte’s free-kick struck Havertz on its way in.

    Justin doubled his personal tally in spectacular fashion shortly after the hour mark, meeting Ndidi’s left-wing delivery with a swerving volley that beat David Raya via the inside of the post.

    If Arsenal were momentarily stunned by Leicester’s recovery, they soon recovered their poise and Mads Hermansen produced two superb saves to keep the Foxes level, denying Havertz with a point-blank stop before keeping out Trossard’s shot – moments after giving the ball away inside his own area.

    But Trossard’s late effort was deflected past the Danish goalkeeper by Ndidi before Havertz struck from close-range to complete the scoring.

    Victory lifts Arsenal level on points with Manchester City, who could be overtaken by Liverpool if they beat Wolves at Molineux in Saturday’s late game.

    BBC

  • Europa League: Giroud snatch late victory for Arsenal

    Europa League: Giroud snatch late victory for Arsenal

    Olivier Giroud on Thursday snatched a late victory for Arsenal as the Gunners defeated hosts Red Star Belgrade by a lone goal in an Europa League Group H encounter.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Arsenal beat 10-man Red Star Belgrade 1-0, thanks to Giroud’s acrobatic late goal in an intimidating atmosphere in Serbia.

    Both sides missed chances as Theo Walcott came close for Arsenal in the first half while Richmond Boaqye hit the woodwork at the other end and Petr Cech did well to keep out a Nemanja Radonjic effort.

    Roared on by their faithful supporters, Red Star kept going at a makeshift Arsenal side in the second half and Cech again rescued the visitors when he palmed over the bar a fierce Slavoljub Smic shot.

    Red Star goalkeeper Milan Borjan denied Reiss Nelson as Arsenal came forward in numbers in search of a winner.

    The much sort after goal came after the home side had left back Milan Rodic sent off for a second bookable offence in the 81st minute.

    The victory meant that Arsenal topped Group H with a maximum nine points from three games after returning to winning ways following their 2-1 defeat by Watford in the Premier League.

    BATE Borisov are second after beating Bundesliga side FC Koln, who have lost all three games in their first European campaign in 20 years.

    Real Sociedad hammered FK Vardar 6-0 with the help of four goals from Brazilian forward Willian Jose.

    Fellow LaLiga side Athletic Bilbao were left on the brink of elimination as they drew 2-2 at Swedish side, Oestersunds FK.

    A late goal from veteran striker Aritz Aduriz prevented a second consecutive defeat for the 2012 finalists, who are third in Group J on two points, four behind second-placed Zorya and five behind leaders Oestersunds. (NAN)

  • Everton deal: Onyekuru not ready for delayed announcement

    Everton deal: Onyekuru not ready for delayed announcement

     

    Henry Onyekuru announces his own move to Everton before the club after signing for Ronald Koeman’s side

    Henry Onyekuru has taken it upon himself to make the announcement that he has signed with Everton ahead of the 2017-18 season.

    The Nigerian striker was in demand this summer, with Arsenal and West Ham both heavily linked with a deal for the youngster.

    Earlier in the week Sportsmail revealed Everton had fended off interest from the Gunners to bring the Nigerian to the Premier League, and now the player himself has officially acknowledged the move.

    Taking to Instagram Onyekuru posted an image of himself standing in front of a large Everton club crest, believed to be at their Finch Farm training base where the player had a medical on Monday.

    Captioning the shot, Onyekuru wrote: ‘So happy to sign for Everton #thankful #everton.’

    The Toffees are yet to officially confirm on their club channels the news that Onyekuru will be playing at Goodison Park next season, though they are expected to do so later on Wednesday.

    The Nigeria striker finished last season as the joint leading scorer in the Belgian Super League with 22 goals in 38 games – 10 of those came in the final 10 games – and attracted the attention of a number of top clubs across Europe as a result.

    His form was so good that he won his first international caps at the end of the campaign for Nigeria.

    Arsenal had been regarded as leading the chase for the 20-year-old but Everton trumped them all by negotiating a deal with the player’s club KAS Eupen that will see Onyekuru spend a season on loan with Anderlecht before coming to the Premier League.

    Everton feel another season spent with Anderlecht, who will be playing in the Champions League, will be significant for Onyekuru’s development and he will arrive at Goodison Park in 12 months a much more polished forward.

  • Wenger says he will soon announce future plans

    Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger says he will announce “very soon’’ whether he will remain at the Gunners after reaching a decision on his future.

    The Gunners boss was speaking after a 3-1 English Premier League loss at West Brom on Saturday meant for them a fourth league defeat in five matches.

    The loss increased the pressure on the Frenchman and left Arsenal facing the prospect of not finishing in the top four for the first time since he joined in 1996.

    “I know what I will do,’’ said Wenger. “You will soon know.’’

    The 67-year-old continued: “Today, I do not necessarily worry about that. We are in a unique bad patch we never had in 20 years.

    “We lose game after game at the moment and that for me is much more important than my future.’’

    Wenger’s current contract expires at the end of the season, but he has been offered a new two-year deal to stay at the club he joined in 1996.

    He has come under increasing pressure in recent weeks, with fans responding to defeats in both the Premier League and the UEFA Champions League by calling for him to leave.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Arsenal lost 2-10 aggregate to German side Bayern Munich in the Champions League’s round of 16.

    On Saturday, more anti-Wenger banners were held aloft by Gunners fans in the closing stages at The Hawthorns.

    In the first half, two planes pulled banners overhead — one criticising the Frenchman and the other supporting him.

    “We’ve never had this before,’’ he said about his side’s run of form. “We face big problems to regroup and find resources to sort the problem.’’

    After the international break, Arsenal’s next Premier League game is against Manchester City, the side they face in next month’s FA Cup semi-final.

    “It’s very worrying because we are not used to that [a poor run of form],’’ Wenger said.

    “Overall, I think we have a hell of a task to fight back. But we need to regroup and focus on the games coming up, because we have many big games.

    “Even though it is a disappointing result, everybody goes away now to recover and prepare well.’’

    It was another weak performance from Arsenal on Saturday as they went down to two Craig Dawson headers from corner kicks and a goal from substitute Hal Robson-Kanu.

    The substitute scored with only his second touch after coming on.

    The Gunners did rally quickly after falling behind through Alexis Sanchez’s 18th league goal of the campaign, but this was completely overshadowed by their vulnerability at the back.

    There problems were compounded by injuries to Petr Cech in the first half and Sanchez in the second.

    Wenger confirmed that Cech was forced off with a calf problem and that Sanchez was substituted after a knock to his ankle.

    “It was a typical Premier League game. A team that likes to play and a team that defends well,’’ he said.

    “It was a tough performance. They caught us on set-pieces and one break and that made the difference.

    “Overall our record against set-pieces is quite good. We were a bit naive, maybe, on the corner kicks. Then we were punished. It’s a shame. We looked in the second half to take completely over.

    “We didn’t create enough. We lost Sanchez in the second half, he was very dangerous in the first.

    “He came out in the second half and he couldn’t move any more. In the first half he was a guy who created a lot.

    “We face some serious challenges. The (Manchester) City game at home is a big game for us.’’

  • Ozil spotted in Istanbul with former Miss Turkey

    Ozil spotted in Istanbul with former Miss Turkey

    Mesut Ozil looks to be thoroughly enjoying the extended break handed to him by Arsene Wenger.

    The Arsenal midfielder was permitted extra time off after enduring a poor run of form for the Gunners and he has taken the opportunity to fly to Turkey.

    Ozil, who is of Turkish descent, was photographed leaving a restaurant alongside Amine Gulse, a former winner of the Miss Turkey beauty pageant in 2014.

    Gulse is a 23-year-old Swedish-born model who has also starred in a Turkish television series.

    The pair, who have confirmed they are just friends, were also spotted together last week dining out at Novikov back in central London.

    Ozil had posted a picture of himself on a plane on his official Snapchat account before his side’s 2-0 win over Sutton in the FA Cup on Monday after earlier training at London Colney.

    The midfielder has been granted the extra rest with Arsenal’s next game not until 4 March when they face Liverpool.

    The Gunners were due to face Southampton this weekend but the Saints are in EFL Cup Final action against Manchester United on Sunday.

  • …hails Gunners victory

    …hails Gunners victory

    Alex Iwobi was pleased after Arsenal registered their first win in the Champions League on Wednesday night and hailed his teammates for their performance.

    The Nigeria international retained his place in the starting line-up against Basel and had a good chance to put the London team 3-0 up in the 58th minute when he drove forward but his effort went inches wide.

    “Great Win & Team Performance , Onto The Next ?????? #AFC #3Points #BIG17,” tweeted Alex Iwobi.

    On his fourth appearance in the Champions League, Iwobi was on the Emirates turf for 70 minutes before he was replaced by Basel old boy Elneny.

  • Arsenal lead for now: Who wins the Premier League?

    Arsenal lead for now: Who wins the Premier League?

    Sitting atop the Premier League pile as 2015 comes to a close, Arsenal Football Club stand a great chance to quench their thirst for a league title this season.

    The Gunners perhaps fortuitously end the year first, following Leicester City’s two dropped points at home to Manchester City on Monday.

    WHO DO YOU THINK WILL WIN THE LEAGUE TITLE THIS SEASON?
    Kindly drop your opinion as comment.

  • Gunners promo winners praise Sterling Bank

    The winners of the Sterling Bank Gunners promo, Messrs Oseni Tajudeen Adekunle and Segun Oghe John who travelled to London last weekend to watch the match between Arsenal and Aston Villa at the Emirates Stadium, courtesy of Sterling Bank Plc have commended the Bank for its role in the development of sports in Nigeria. The two winners also described their experience in the UK as a unique experience.

    The two winners who spoke to our correspondents from the Emirates Stadium before the match on Sunday stated that this initiative from the Bank is capable of attracting foreign clubs and other sports related businesses to take more interest in the development of sports in Nigeria through strategic partnership with Sterling Bank.

    The two lucky winners are among the five winners picked at the promo draw held at the Sterling Towers, the Bank’s corporate head office in Lagos to watch the Arsenal versus Aston Villa match. The three who could not make the trip due to personal reasons are Oduntan Femi Abimbola, Tamunokubie Tamunobarao and Obi Blessing Uwachukwu. They will be compensated by the Bank in the like sum. In all, 30 winners will emerge from five draws making it 6 winners per draw.

    An excited Oseni, who spoke with journalists at the Emirates Stadium said: “The experience is wonderful. Setting my eyes on the players as they arrived the stadium and seeing the best manager in the world, Arsene Wenger is wonderful”.

    Mr. Oseni who noted that he did not open the account just for the purpose of been selected for the draws also commended the Bank for a flawless arrangement of the trip.

    “The entire process was flawless. Right from the head office of the Bank from where we took off to the airport, the arrangement was superb. The Bank had also put in place adequate arrangement for accommodation, feeding and transportation which made live very

    comfortable for us. When the players started coming out, l was so exited, it was a rich experience for me”. Similarly, Mr. John who opened the Arsenal Account at the Bank’s Minna  advised other financial institutions in the country to emulate what Sterling Bank was doing in the area of sports development.

    His words: “Sterling Bank has laid a very good example on what the roles of institutions should be in the area of sports. Besides, it has demonstrated that it is an institution that can be trusted. My experience here so far in the UK has been wonderful. I am enjoying every bit of my stay and l will come back on my own since Sterling Bank has opened the way””. He added: ” I opened the account to identify with a bank supporting the darling team of millions of Nigerians and this has made it possible for me to connect directly with the Arsenal players by watching the match Live. It is the dream of all football lovers to have this great opportunity that Sterling Bank has provided”.

    In a statement, the Bank’s Group Head, Strategy & Communications, Mr. Shina Atilola stated that the Bank initiated the promo to reward customers for their loyalty, and encourage other football lovers to share the one-customer experience. The winners, according to him will have the privilege of an all- expenses paid trip to watch home matches involving Arsenal Football Club and other top clubs in the English Premier League at the Emirates.T

  • Gunners seal qualification

    Gunners seal qualification

    Arsenal secured their place  in the knockout stages of the Champions League courtesy of a 2-0 win over Borussia Dortmund in their clash at the Emirates Stadium yesterday night.

    The Gunners got off to the perfect start in the game in the second minute when Santi Cazorla found space inside the box, and his pass found Sanogo, who poked an effort through Roman Weidenfeller from a tight angle.

    Sanogo should have doubled the home side’s lead when he was played through on goal by Aaron Ramsey after beating the offside trap. However, the striker lost his composure in the box as he lost his footing at the vital moment.

    Arsenal’s pressure on the Dortmund goal finally told in the second half as Sanchez found the net in spectacular fashion as he picked up the ball 25 yards from goal down the left, and curled an effort into the bottom corner with pinpoint accuracy.

    The visitors tried to get back into the game as they dominated possession in the latter stages, but the Gunners held firm at the back to book their place in the latter stages of the competition.

  • Arsenal 0-0 Man United: Gunners, Man Utd in barren draw

    Arsenal 0-0 Man United: Gunners, Man Utd in barren draw

    Arsenal and Manchester United have played out a goalless draw in their Premier League encounter at the Emirates on Wednesday evening.

    United were the first side to threaten as Robin van Persie forced a save from Wojciech Szczesny in the centre of goal in the second minute of the game.

    Olivier Giroud wasted a decent half-chance for the hosts, as he looked to get onto a corner from Santiago Cazorla, however the Frenchman could only head wide of goal.

    Departing United skipper Nemanja Vidic also went close with a header, which was blocked on its way to goal, before Tomas Rosicky forced a good stop from David de Gea at the keeper’s bottom corner.

    Dutch striker van Persie was in again in the 18th minute as Juan Mata crafted an incisive through ball, however the United forward lashed his shot wide.

    Giroud tried his luck again before half time, this time as he was slipped the ball by Mikel Arteta, but he shot over the United goal, leaving the teams to go into the break level.

    Mata cut a rather peripheral figure in the first half, but he tried his luck with a shot from outside of the box, which swerved wide of goal as United pressed for an opener.

    Antonio Valencia spared his side’s blushes as he cleared a header from Laurent Koscielny off the line following Mesut Ozil’s corner.