NFF confirms England-born goalkeeper, Okonkwo now set for Nigeria call-up

Arsenal on Saturday set two records after their FA Cup fifth-round win against Mansfield Town

Recall that Arsenal defeated Mansfield Town 2-1, thanks to goals from Eberechi Eze and Noni Madueke.

The win against the EFL League One side ensured the Premier League leaders booked their place in the FA Cup quarter-final stage.

However, according to OptaJoe, the Gunners’ win against Mansfield Town means the Premier League North London club have now won 35 games in all competitions this season (8 draws, 3 loses), more than any other big five European league team this season .

Also, it is Arsenal’s outright most wins in a single season under their manager Mikel Arteta (previously 34 wins in 2023-24).

Arsenal will now hope to extend the records when they face Bayer Leverkusen in the UEFA Champions League in mid-week.

Arsenal set two records after qualifying for FA Cup quarter-final stage

Super Eagles coach, Eric Chelle has explained why Victor Osimhen did not take part in the penalty shootout during Nigeria’s semifinal loss to Morocco at the Africa Cup of Nations.

Nigeria lost 4–2 in a penalty shootout after extra time, and there have been questions on why Osimhen was taken off late in the game.

Osimhen was taken off near the end of extra time and substituted with Trabzonspor’s Paul Onuachu, which meant the Galatasaray striker would not be in the penalty shootout.

Onuachu then scored Nigeria’s first penalty kick, but missed chances from Samuel Chukwueze and Bruno Onyeamachi were expensive as Morocco moved on to the final.

Chelle explained that Osimhen came to him before the shootout to say he was not fit to play.

“We take penalty kicks during every training session. I have stats showing who shoots best and who shoots worst,” Eric Chelle said on RMC Sport’s After Foot.

“Before the penalty shootout, Victor came to me and said, ‘Coach, my ankle is really bad, it hurts, and I can’t take a penalty kick.’”

The Malian coach, however, did not explain why Alex Iwobi did not take a penalty, even though Alex is one of the main leaders in the Super Eagles team.

He added, “I have my own statistics. Ademola Lookman was the fifth taker. Iwobi, it’s something that I shouldn’t talk about. Whatever happens in the group stays within the group.”

The coach said that penalty decisions depend on how well the team is prepared and how ready the players are.

He also explained that he chose the players who took the penalties during the shootout against Egypt in the third-place playoff.

“Against Egypt, I picked the ones who take the blame, so they have to be responsible,” he said.

Although the Super Eagles did not make it to the final, they still won the bronze medal by beating Egypt in a penalty shootout during the third-place match.

AFCON: What Osimhen told me before Super Eagles’ penalty shootout against Morocco – Chelle 

Arsenal have re-established a five-point lead at the top of the Premier League, after they edged out Chelsea 2-1 on Sunday evening.

The Gunners came into the game knowing that Manchester City picked up a 1-0 victory at Leeds on Saturday.

City’s win meant they cut into Arsenal’s advantage, reducing it to two points.

Mikel Arteta’s men took the lead against Chelsea, after William Saliba’s header went in off Mamadou Sarr.

But the Blues were level before the break thanks to Piero Hincapie’s own goal.

Jurrien Timber headed in Arsenal’s winner, taking them up to 64 points with nine fixtures left.

EPL table: Arsenal beat Chelsea, re-establish 5pt gap ahead of Man City