Arsenal’s manager, Mikel Arteta, has pointed out two factors contributing to the team’s recent decline in performance. The Gunners kicked off 2024 impressively, with 11 victories and a draw, but suffered consecutive defeats thereafter. Arteta’s side fell 2-0 at home to Aston Villa and suffered a 1-0 loss to Bayern Munich in the second leg of their Champions League quarter-final. Arteta acknowledges the quality of their opponents and takes responsibility for any tactical missteps, stating, “Sometimes it’s the opponent. The opponents play very well, and you have to congratulate them. Sometimes it will be my fault as well, not changing…
Author: Oluwaseun samuel
Liverpool’s Trent Alexander-Arnold suggests that Arsenal’s loss to Aston Villa on Sunday stemmed from a sense of excitement within the team. Earlier in the day, Alexander-Arnold entered the match as a substitute but couldn’t prevent Liverpool from losing 1-0 at home to Crystal Palace. Shortly after, Arsenal missed an opportunity to claim the top spot in the league table as they succumbed to a 2-0 defeat against Aston Villa at the Emirates Stadium. Alexander-Arnold reflects, “If those fixtures were reversed and we played second and Arsenal played first, maybe it would’ve been a different mentality. It all comes down to…
Arsenal and Manchester City’s recent exits from the Champions League have resulted in both clubs forfeiting up to €32.5 million (£28 million) each in prize money. Arsenal suffered a 1-0 defeat against Bayern Munich, following a 2-2 draw at the Emirates Stadium. Meanwhile, Real Madrid ousted Manchester City from the competition via a penalty shootout. In addition to the loss of prize money, both clubs are also facing reduced revenues from ticket sales and merchandise. The four teams advancing to the quarter-finals, including Paris Saint-Germain and Borussia Dortmund, have earned €12.5 million (£10.8 million) from UEFA’s prize pool. The finalists…
Jude Bellingham, representing Real Madrid, has claimed the top spot in the Ballon d’Or rankings for April, as reported by Goal. Following closely behind are Manchester City’s Phil Foden and Paris Saint-Germain’s Kylian Mbappe. The list showcases the 20 standout footballers based on their performances throughout April, with Manchester City’s Erling Haaland and Rodri rounding out the top five. Notable figures such as Harry Kane, Mohamed Salah, Cristiano Ronaldo, and Lionel Messi also feature in the rankings. Here’s the complete top 20 ranking: 1: Jude Bellingham 2: Phil Foden 3: Kylian Mbappé 4: Erling Haaland 5: Rodri 6: Harry Kane…
Emiliano Martinez will be sidelined for the first leg of Aston Villa’s Europa Conference League semi-final against Olympiacos. Despite receiving two yellow cards during the second-leg quarterfinal triumph over Lille, Martinez’s penalty shootout booking spared him immediate suspension. However, UEFA’s regulations stipulate that players face suspension after accumulating three cautions in the tournament, irrespective of whether they result in a red card. Martinez’s three bookings, including two in the Lille matches and one earlier in the competition, trigger this suspension. The Argentine goalkeeper’s absence in the opening leg on May 2 at Villa Park is a consequence of these disciplinary…
Manchester City advances to the FA Cup final, keeping their Double aspirations alive, while Chelsea’s quest for silverware extends into another season. In a tightly contested match at Wembley, Manchester City secured a 1-0 victory over Chelsea, courtesy of Bernardo Silva’s late goal. Silva redeemed himself after his earlier penalty miss contributed to City’s Champions League exit against Real Madrid. The decisive moment arrived six minutes from time when Silva pounced on Kevin de Bruyne’s cross at the far post to clinch the win for City. Chelsea, on the other hand, will rue missed opportunities, particularly by Nicolas Jackson, who…
Manchester United faces a fresh setback as they prepare for the FA Cup semi-final showdown against Coventry. Mason Mount, Sofyan Amrabat, and Willy Kambwala are all sidelined for the pivotal clash at Wembley. The team’s injury list continues to grow, with over 60 separate cases recorded this season. Adding to their woes, Raphael Varane, Lisandro Martinez, Luke Shaw, Victor Lindelof, Jonny Evans, and Tyrell Malacia are already confirmed absentees. Furthermore, doubts loom over the availability of Harry Maguire, who has been unable to participate in training sessions this week. For United, the FA Cup remains the sole opportunity to secure…
Real Madrid faces a pivotal match against Barcelona on Sunday, with Carlo Ancelotti’s squad aiming to secure another La Liga title. Currently leading the table by eight points, a win at the Santiago Bernabeu would extend their advantage, but a defeat could narrow the gap to five points with six games remaining. Here are four key battles that could shape the outcome of this crucial Clásico. 1. Vinicius Junior vs Ronald Araujo: Vinicius Junior, in top form for Madrid, will be a daunting challenge for Barcelona’s Ronald Araujo. Araujo’s recent red card against PSG has highlighted his vulnerability, and he…
Chelsea fans implored their high-spending board to finalize a remarkable summer transfer following a disappointing FA Cup loss. They even believe that had the deal been completed, they could have outclassed Manchester City with a commanding 5-1 victory. Nicolas Jackson struggled to find the net against Manchester City, missing several clear-cut chances, including a one-on-one opportunity denied by Stefan Ortega and a close-range header within seconds. His underwhelming performance sparked a flurry of social media comments from Chelsea supporters urging the club’s new owners to invest in a prolific goalscorer, with Napoli’s Victor Osimhen being a popular choice. Osimhen, set…
Barcelona’s winger, Lamine Yamal, has shared his prediction for their LaLiga clash against Real Madrid this Sunday. The two Spanish powerhouses are set to meet at the Bernabeu, with Real Madrid aiming to secure a double victory over Barca. However, Yamal expresses confidence in his team’s ability, foreseeing a 3-1 triumph for Barcelona with him scoring one of the goals. Real Madrid enters the match on a positive note following their elimination of Manchester City from the Champions League earlier in the week. Meanwhile, Barcelona faced disappointment as they were ousted from the competition by Paris Saint-Germain. The match kicks…
Manchester United has officially announced the appointment of Jason Wilcox as the club’s new technical director as part of their ongoing internal restructuring. This restructuring comes in the wake of Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s acquisition of a 28% stake in the club, with the INEOS chief now overseeing football operations. After identifying Southampton’s director of football, Wilcox, as an ideal candidate for the technical director role, negotiations with Southampton over compensation were successful, leading to Wilcox’s move to United. A statement from Manchester United read: “Jason Wilcox has joined Manchester United as Technical Director with immediate effect. He will work with…
Chelsea is determined to outpace Barcelona in securing the signature of Amadou Onana and has reportedly made an offer to Everton. The 22-year-old midfielder has been a subject of transfer speculation amidst Everton’s financial challenges and the looming threat of relegation from the Premier League. While Barcelona has been considered a potential destination for Onana, they face an uphill battle due to Everton’s steep £60 million valuation of the player, as per reports from Catalan outlet SPORT. Despite Barcelona’s sporting director, Deco, identifying Onana as an ideal midfield addition, the club is deterred by the hefty asking price set by…
Zinedine Zidane is reportedly considering a potential managerial role at Manchester United as he contemplates a return to coaching this summer. Since departing from Real Madrid in 2021, Zidane has remained without a club, but recent speculation has linked him to the soon-to-be-vacant position at Bayern Munich. Although Bayern had initially aimed to secure Julian Nagelsmann from the German national team, his recent contract extension has led to renewed discussions about Zidane’s potential appointment. While reports from Mundo Deportivo suggest that Bayern is nearing an agreement with Zidane, French outlet L’Equipe adds weight to the claim, though it emphasizes that…
Newcastle United is reportedly inclined to prioritize retaining Alexander Isak over Bruno Guimaraes this summer, amidst interest from Arsenal and Manchester City, as per sources familiar with the matter. Arsenal, in particular, is keen on bolstering their attacking options in the upcoming transfer window but is also eyeing reinforcements in midfield. Guimaraes, along with Martin Zubimendi from Real Sociedad, is on their radar. Manchester City has also made inquiries into Guimaraes, contemplating his suitability as a versatile midfield addition to complement Rodri. Despite previous interest in Lucas Paqueta from West Ham United, City remains vigilant for potential midfield reinforcements. The…
The Guinean forward, Sehrou Guirassy, has emerged victorious in the race for the Bundesliga Player of the Month award for March, overcoming stiff competition from notable stars like Harry Kane and Jamal Musiala of Bayern Munich. This marks Guirassy’s second Player of the Month accolade, adding to his initial triumph in September. Facing formidable opponents, including renowned players such as Harry Kane, Jamal Musiala, Xavi Simons, David Raum, and Alejandro Grimaldo, Guirassy’s exceptional performances on the field earned him the prestigious recognition. After a brief dip in form following his return from the Africa Cup of Nations, Guirassy demonstrated a…
Track sensation Sha’Carri Richardson has clinched a historic deal with a major corporation, joining NBA player Anthony Edwards in a lucrative endorsement agreement. Richardson’s winning streak continues as she secures another significant endorsement deal, this time with the Coca-Cola brand – Sprite. The partnership marks a milestone as Richardson becomes the first female athlete ever signed to endorse the multi-billion dollar brand. The collaboration is part of Sprite’s revival of its iconic ‘Obey Your Thirst’ campaign, featuring NBA star Anthony Edwards and original campaign star Grant Hill alongside the world 100m champion. This latest deal adds to Richardson’s impressive portfolio…
Former Liverpool FC striker Fernando Torres recently took to social media to announce the passing of his father. The 40-year-old shared the heartbreaking news on his various social media platforms, expressing gratitude for the overwhelming support he has received during this challenging period. Following his announcement, Torres received an outpouring of solidarity and condolences from both fans and the football community at large. In a heartfelt message, Torres expressed his sadness over the loss of his father, José, saying, “I couldn’t end this sad day without thanking everyone from the bottom of my heart on behalf of my family and…
South African footballer Percy Tau is on the verge of becoming the highest-paid player on the African continent as he prepares to sign a new contract with Egyptian powerhouse Al Ahly. Tau, a standout for both Al Ahly and South Africa’s national team, has been integral to his club’s success since joining them in 2021, notably contributing to their CAF Champions League triumph in 2023. Reportedly, Tau’s prospective three-year deal with Al Ahly could see him earning a total of $5 million, with annual salaries ranging from $1.2 million to $1.6 million over the contract’s duration. Since his arrival at…
Former Real Madrid manager Zinedine Zidane is on the brink of joining Bayern Munich, with most of the contractual details reportedly settled, as per Mundo Deportivo. The report indicates that Zidane has engaged in discussions with Bayern Munich regarding potential reinforcements for the team, particularly in defense. Initially, Julian Nagelsmann was Bayern’s preferred candidate to succeed current manager Thomas Tuchel, who is set to depart the club in the upcoming summer. However, Nagelsmann opted to extend his contract with the Germany national team. Zidane, who was previously linked with managerial positions at Paris Saint-Germain and Manchester United, has been without…
Real Madrid aims to extend their lead over second-placed Barcelona by 11 points in the La Liga standings as they host their arch-rivals at the Bernabeu for another thrilling El Clasico encounter. Both teams were recently engaged in Champions League quarter-final battles, with Real Madrid triumphing over Manchester City to secure a spot in the semi-finals, while Barcelona faced a defeat against Paris Saint-Germain, ending their European journey. Real Madrid, eyeing a double triumph in La Liga and the Champions League this season, have been in formidable form with a record of 24 wins, six draws, and one defeat in…