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Tag: Arsenal

  • Arsenal score two stoppage time goals to beat Leicester

    Arsenal score two stoppage time goals to beat Leicester

    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.

    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

  • Nwaneri, Porter proved they can be trusted – Arteta

    Nwaneri, Porter proved they can be trusted – Arteta

    Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta says his young players are earning their senior place on merit.

    Ethan Nwaneri, 17, scored twice in last night’s Carabao Cup win against Bolton Wanderers, with 16 year-old goalkeeper Jack Porter between the posts.

    Arteta said: “It’s much better when they earn it and they’re here for the right reasons and they’ve done it.

    “They did it by proving they could compete at this level in pre-season and that’s why today we trust them to get the job done.

    “They need to see the door is open, the possibility is there. It’s achievable and hopefully that message gets across. Big credit to everyone involved in the academy. They contributed and gave us these players in the manner that they are, so I think a positive night for the team as well.”

  • I don’t think it makes sense to buy Arsenal – Dangote

    I don’t think it makes sense to buy Arsenal – Dangote

    The President and Chief Executive of Dangote Group, Alhaji Aliko Dangote, has said he’s no longer interested in purchasing English Premier League club, Arsenal .

    He said he wished he had bought the English side club when the team was valued at around $2 billion.

    Speaking in an interview with Bloomberg’s Francine Lacqua in New York, the billionaire business mogul explained that he missed out on buying Arsenal by committing his resources to the refinery project.

    He said, “I think that time has passed. The last time when we had this interview, I told you as soon as I finish with the refinery, I am going to try and buy Arsenal.

    “But you know everything has gone up and the club too is doing very well, Arsenal is doing extremely well right now. That time Arsenal wasn’t doing well.

    “I think I don’t have that kind of excess liquidity to go and buy a club for $4 billion so to speak and use it as a promotional something.

    “But what I will do is to continually be the biggest fan of Arsenal. I watch their games anytime they are playing. So, I will remain a major supporter of Arsenal but I don’t think it makes sense today to buy Arsenal.’

    When asked if he regretted not buying when Arsenal’s value was lower, he said, “Actually, I regret not buying it before but you know my money was more needed in completing my project (Dangote refinery) than buying Arsenal. I would have bought the club for $2 billion but you know I wouldn’t have been able to finish my project. So, It was either I finish my project or go and buy Arsenal.”

    Dangote had in 2020 made known his intention to go for the North London club after his refinery project.

    The richest man in Africa, who has now rested his ambition to take over at Emirates Stadium, founded the Dangote Group — the largest conglomerate in West Africa — in 1981.

  • Arsenal defender fires fresh message at Haaland, Man City

    Arsenal defender fires fresh message at Haaland, Man City

    Arsenal defender Gabriel has stoked up the title rivalry between them and Manchester City.

    The Brazilian defender spoke after his team’s 2-2 draw against City in the Premier League on Sunday.

    The Gunners were down to ten men for the second half, but rallied to avoid defeat.

    Post-game, Gunners defender Gabriel warned: “We are waiting for them at our ground.”

    Asked about an incident when Erling Haaland threw the ball at the back of his head, Gabriel said: “No, I don’t remember it. I don’t remember it.

    “It’s normal. But anyway, congratulations to the team for the draw.

    “As I said, battle, war, provocation is normal in football and it is part of the game. It’s over now. Now we are waiting for them at our ground.”

  • EPL: Man City secure late draw against Arsenal

    EPL: Man City secure late draw against Arsenal

    Manchester City rescued a draw in dramatic circumstances against Arsenal as John Stones’ stoppage-time equaliser meant Sunday’s early-season title showdown ended in a 2-2 draw.

    City started brightly and went ahead inside the first 10 minutes as Erling Haaland latched onto a Savinho through-ball and prodded home a first-time finish for his 100th goal for the English champions in just 105 appearances.

    An injury to Rodri, however, turned the game on its head, as Arsenal equalised shortly after the Ballon d’Or contender was forced to hobble off with a knee injury as Riccardo Calafiori fired in a curling effort from 20 yards.

    The visitors from north London then took the lead early in first-half stoppage-time as Gabriel Magalhaes rose highest to head home a corner from close-ranger, only for the Gunners’ joy to turn to anguish as Leandro Trossard was sent off for a second yellow card moments later.

    As such, the second 45 minutes was played almost entirely on the edge of the Arsenal penalty area, and while David Raya saved from Kyle Walker, Haaland and Josko Gvardiol, City eventually found a way through in the 98th minute as Stones prodded home after a Jack Grealish cross bounced around the penalty area.

    Goal

  • EPL: 5 talking points ahead of Arsenal, Man City clash

    EPL: 5 talking points ahead of Arsenal, Man City clash

    Arsenal travel to the Etihad this Sunday in a game that is crucial in the title race this season, here are 5 talking points ahead of what is a huge game.

    WILL ERLING HAALAND’S SCORING SPREE CONTINUE?

    The Norwegian has scored nine goals in four Premier League games with his latest against Brentford which broke a 13-year-old Wayne Rooney record for Manchester United in 2011/12.

    The 24-year-old is also on a total of 99 goals in just 103 appearances for the club across all competitions and a strike against Arsenal would see him become a centurion for the Citizens.

    Haaland has played 6 games against Arsenal and has 2 goals and 2 assists which is relatively low for the striker. He has one final game to match Cristiano Ronaldo’s stunning record for the least games taken to score 100 goals – with Sunday set to be his 105th appearance which should motivate him ahead of the game even more.

    WILL ARSENAL MISS THEIR CAPTAIN?

    Martin Odegaard is hoping to be back in eight weeks after his ankle injury blow with a Christmas return seeming likely. The Gunners fared well without him against Tottenham Hotspur in the North London derby but there is a feeling that without their captain the Arsenal side could fall apart against a team like City.

    Manager Mikel Arteta’s side only managed a single goal against Tottenham after a set piece, then failed to score against Italians Atalanta in the Champions League in mid-week which suggests that the creative side of the team has been washed away with the Norwegian sat watching from the sidelines.

    This could prove fatal against a strong City defence which will be locked tight this weekend as without a midfielder with a key to unlock it means Pep Guardiola’s side are likely to keep a clean sheet.

    WILL THE RESULT BE DECISIVE IN THE TITLE RACE?

    It is too early to say if this game will decide the title but 3 points here could make a huge difference at the end of the season.

    City are the favourites this season and there is no doubt that if the Gunners do take any points away from them then it opens the door for themselves and the likes of Liverpool to step in and push for the title.

    CAN ARSENAL CONTINUE THEIR DEFENSIVE RECORD?

    Arsenal have conceded just one goal in five games, keeping four clean sheets and despite the threat of Haaland they will be confident going into this fixture with such a strong defensive line.

    Their mid-week clash against Atalanta saw goalkeeper David Raya make a double save to keep out striker Mateo Retegui’s penalty as they were held to a 0-0 draw in which their defence was the standout feature once again.

    Arteta’s side showed once again how they have a defence that can shut down any game which gives Guardiola something to think about ahead of Sunday.

    SHOULD ARSENAL AGAIN PLAY FOR A DRAW?

    When City lifted the title last season it was Rodri who pointed out Arsenal’s poor mentality which led them to finish second.

    “When they came here, they faced us at the Etihad, I saw them and said: ‘Ah, these guys, they don’t want to beat us, they just want a draw.’ And that mentality, I don’t think we would do it the same way.”

    That game was played in March, near the end of a brutal title race and now despite it being early in the season the narrative repeats itself as Arsenal could either go all out or use their strong defence to capture a point.

    Tribalfootball

  • Arteta reacts to Raya’s Champions League performance

    Arteta reacts to Raya’s Champions League performance

    Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta lavished praise on goalkeeper David Raya last night.

    The shot stopper ensured that the Gunners did not lose to Atalanta in the Champions League on Thursday.

    Despite a poor overall display, Arsenal got a 0-0 draw thanks to Raya’s double stop from the penalty spot and thereafter.

    Arteta stated post-game: “We started the game really well. I think in the first 20-25 minutes we were really dominant against a man-to-man team which is very very specific and difficult to play against. I think we read the game really well and were on top of the game.

    “Suddenly we started to be very very inconsistent with the ball. We started to give every ball away, very simple balls, and we lost control of the game. We didn’t suffer defensively at all, but in one action we conceded a penalty and we needed two of the best saves that I’ve seen in my career from David to stay in the game.

    “The work with the goalkeeping coach, Inaki (Cana), he knew (which way to go) and they did the job and the execution of that first one was unbelievable. But the second one, I thought the ball was in so it was really similar to the Villa one.

    “We signed him when he was already exceptional, but then you have to do it at this level and especially in the context of when he came in, it wasn’t easy at all, but he’s showing the kind of person he is and his role as a leader in the team. That’s very important.”

  • Mikel Merino closer to Arsenal debut

    Mikel Merino closer to Arsenal debut

    Arsenal midfielder Mikel Merino is closer to his debut.

    Nursing a shoulder injury suffered in his first training session at Arsenal, Merino was spotted without his sling this past week.

    At Sunday’s birthday celebrations for David Raya, Merino was seen with his arms free and applauding on the day.

    Merino signed for the Gunners over the summer from Real Sociedad, but suffered an immediate setback in training.

    There is hope he can return to full-scale training before the end of the month.

    Tribalfootball

  • Arsenal was dark time for my family – Xhaka

    Arsenal was dark time for my family – Xhaka

    Former Arsenal captain Granit Xhaka has admitted to feeling relief when leaving the North London club for Bayer Leverkusen.

    Xhaka had a tough relationship with the club’s supporters over the years.

    He had been made captain by boss Unai Emery several years ago, but then fell out with the fans and lost his captaincy.

    But he then went on to play a starring role in Mikel Arteta’s team that nearly won a league title two seasons ago.

    “My wife was there for the first meeting with Leverkusen,” he said during an Amazon Prime documentary on Leverkusen’s last season, which saw them win the Bundesliga unbeaten.

    “I wanted to know how she felt.”

    He added: “It was pure relief for me. I said: ‘Yes! It’s not just me who feels that way, but the family too’.”

    “I was lucky enough to be booed in 2019, as captain at Arsenal, in front of 60,000 fans,” he elaborated.

    “I say lucky because that made me brutally strong.

    “I’m grateful that I got out of there. Because it was a dark day for my family, my wife and my parents. I think it was even harder for them than it was for me.”

  • EPL: Happy to have Sterling at Arsenal – Havertz

    EPL: Happy to have Sterling at Arsenal – Havertz

    Arsenal star Kai Havertz is convinced of big things from Raheem Sterling at the North London club.

    The Chelsea loanee moved to the Gunners on transfer deadline day over a fortnight ago.

    Havertz played with Sterling at Chelsea before his departure for the Gunners and he told Stadium Astro: “It’s incredible.

    “I had the joy to play with him   at Chelsea. He’s an incredible player. If you see his stats in the Premier League, it’s outstanding.

    “You see how much quality he brings to the team and I think we are all very happy to have him.”

    Tribalfootball