Category: Sports

Arsenal manager, Mikel Arteta, has insisted he is more interested in winning matches than trying to outscore Manchester City.

Arteta, speaking to reporters on Thursday, said goal difference settling the Premier League title race will be secondary.

Manchester City thrashed Crystal Palace 3-0 on Wednesday, a result that saw their goal difference increase to +43, one more than Arsenal’s.

In the last two matches, City will play Bournemouth and Aston Villa, while the Gunners play Burnley and Palace.

Arteta said: “First we have to earn the right to win the game. Obviously if you can make a difference with more goals, that’s even better.

“But we all play really tough matches. We had a really tough match against West Ham and managed to win it, and it was a great feeling.

“But we know ideally that scoring goals is going to be important.”

EPL: Arteta speaks on Arsenal, Man City winning title on goal difference

World record holder, Tobi Amusan, is determined to win more medals for Nigeria after claiming her third title at the ongoing 2026 African Senior Athletics Championship in Accra, Ghana, DAILY POST reports.

Amusan won the women’s 100m hurdles on Wednesday night, underlying her status as one of Africa’s best athletes.

Zimbabwe’s Ashley Miller was second, while Team Nigeria’s Adaobi Tabugbo, finished third.

Amusan thanked her team and supporters for standing by her, declaring that she remains determined to continue her pursuit of glory.

“African Champion x3.

Beyond grateful to God, my team, supporters, and everyone who continues to believe in me through every season.

Historic feeling.

Still hungry for more.

The mission continues,” she wrote on X.

The 29-year-old will now shift attention to the Shanghai Golden League meeting in China this weekend.

ASAC 2026: Amusan thankful after claiming third women’s 100m hurdles title

There is no bonus included in the agreement that brought Eberechi Eze to Arsenal from Crystal Palace during the summer, which would provide the south London club with additional funds should the Gunners secure the league title.

Football.london confirmed this despite the rumours circulating online.

Numerous supporters took to social media to express their excitement over the claims that Crystal Palace could earn up to £10 million in bonuses if Arsenal were to win the league at Selhurst Park on Sunday, May 24.

However, no such clause is present.

Eze moved to Arsenal in a deal valued at £67.5 million in August 2025. However, it is believed that only £7.5 million of this amount is classified as add-ons, which are contingent upon various factors, none of which relate to winning the domestic championship.

These add-ons were perceived as highly attainable by Palace at the time the agreement was finalized. Initially, Eze had a release clause set at £67.5 million; however, this clause lapsed before both Tottenham and Arsenal intensified their efforts to acquire the England international.

Nevertheless, it was Arsenal’s prompt action regarding the deal and their readiness to match the previous release clause value that secured the transfer over Spurs. Additionally, Eze’s personal inclination towards joining the club he supported as a child, and where he had previously played in their youth system before being released at the age of 13, played a significant role in his decision.

EPL: Crystal Palace will receive no bonus on Eze’s transfer if Arsenal wins title

Arsenal boss, Mikel Arteta has spoken on the player he would use as replacement for injured Jurrien Timber and Ben White in the right-back position.

While Timber is recovering, Ben White sustained an injury during the 1-0 win over West Ham last weekend, a situation that has left Arsenal fans worried ahead of their remaining games in the Premier League and Champions League final.

Centre-back Cristhian Mosquera is seen as a possible option as a right-back should Timber not regain full fitness in time as Ben White has been sidelined for the remainder of the season.

Asked if Mosquera, who had played in that position before could be an alternative, as quoted by Football London, Arteta said,

“There are different options in relation to the opponent as well, and the things that we want to do with sets and plays.

“But we need to be open to that, not only to one but to two or three options. Because games can vary, players can pick an injury, I don’t know. We need to be flexible on that and really think about that option.

“We need to look at alternatives. The two players that we have there are not available at the moment. We need to look and do something else. The good thing is that we have experienced that all over the pitch this season.

“When we had issues, normally, they’ve been in the same positions as well. We have managed to find the right level of performance and consistency. I’m sure we will do that.”

EPL, UCL: Arteta speaks on player to replace Timber, Ben White at right-back

Former Arsenal star, Paul Merson, has offered his predictions for the Premier League match-day 37 fixtures taking place on Friday, Sunday, Monday and Tuesday.

Aston Villa will host Liverpool at Villa Park on Friday night while Manchester United tackle Nottingham Forest on Sunday at Old Trafford.

Arsenal will welcome Burnley to Emirates Stadium, while Chelsea will take on Tottenham Hotspur on Tuesday.

Stating his predictions, Merson

backed Aston Villa to beat Liverpool 2-1.

Merson’s other predictions are:

Manchester United 2-1 Nottingham Forest

Brentford 2-0 Crystal Palace

Leeds United 2-2 Brighton & Hove Albion

Wolves 0-2 Fulham

Everton 2-0 Sunderland

Newcastle United 2-0 West Ham United

Arsenal 3-0 Burnley

Bournemouth 1-1 Manchester City

Chelsea 2-0 Tottenham Hotspur

EPL: Paul Merson predicts Chelsea vs Tottenham, Arsenal, Man City fixtures

Manchester City kept pace with Arsenal in the Premier League title race, with a comprehensive 3-0 win over Crystal Palace on Wednesday night.

Following Arsenal’s narrow 1-0 victory at West Ham last weekend, City came into the game five points behind the Gunners.

Although Pep Guardiola made six changes to his starting XI for this game, they still dominated the visitors.

Phil Foden was especially in fine form, as he laid on the assists for Antoine Semenyo and Omar Marmoush to score before half time.

Savinho added a late third, as City went two points behind Arsenal.

Both teams have two matches left to play.

Arsenal play next against Burnley on Monday night, while City are away to Bournemouth on Tuesday.

EPL table: Man City thrash Crystal Palace to go two points behind Arsenal

Nigeria’s Falconets have been placed in Pot 2 ahead of the 2026 FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup draw, DAILY POST reports.

The event is scheduled to hold at the EC1 Cultural Centre on Friday.

The Falconets are among the four African countries that will participate in the biennial competition.

Ghana women’s national under-20 football team, Tanzania women’s national under-20 football team, and Benin women’s national under-20 football team are the other African representatives.

Moses Aduku’s side booked a spot at Poland 2026 after edging past the Young Scorchers of Malawi 3-2 on aggregate.

United States women’s national under-20 soccer team, Colombia women’s national under-20 football team, Mexico women’s national under-20 football team, Canada women’s national under-20 soccer team, and New Zealand women’s national under-20 football team are also in Pot 2.

The Falconets will be making their 15th appearance at the competition.

The tournament will run from September 5 to September 27, 2026.

U-20 WWC Draw: Falconets placed in Pot 2 

Real Madrid president, Florentino Perez, has claimed that his relationship with LaLiga rivals Barcelona is “completely broken”.

Perez also claimed that the Catalans have been paying off referees for two years.

In an interviw with El Chiringuito, he demanded for justice to be served in the Negreira case.

“My relationship with Barcelona is completely broken,” Perez said.

“I don’t want any connection with a club that has paid off referees for two decades.

“I want justice to be served in a case of this gravity like the Negreira.”

The Real Madrid president revealed that the club is preparing to present a 500-page dossier to UEFA next week, documenting what he describes as long-term sporting injustices.

LaLiga: Barcelona paid referees for two decades – Real Madrid president, Perez

Bichi First FC has received a boost with the return of midfielder Umar Sani ahead of the 2026 President Federation Cup.

Sani is returning from an undisclosed minor injury.

The enterprising midfielder played a key role in the Nigeria National League, NNL, side’s qualification for the finals of the competition.

Sani’s return is a big motivation for Bichi First FC as they push to make a statement in the competition.

Bichi First FC, alongside Nigeria Premier Football League, NPFL, side Barau FC, will represent Kano in this year’s competition.

The date for the Round of 64 is expected to be announced by the Nigeria Football Federation, NFF.

Sani returns to boost Bichi First ahead President Federation Cup

Abia Angels have hailed the contributions of head coach Mario Eshalomi to their Nigeria Women Football League, NWFL, Super Six playoff qualification feat.

The Abia-based side qualified for the playoff alongside Robo Queens and Nasarawa Amazons in the NWFL Conference B.

Abia Angels said the tactician propelled the team through a gruelling campaign.

“Coach Mario came in and changed the mentality. He made us believe we belonged in the Super 6,” the club stated on Wednesday.

Eshalomi joined Abia Angels from former NWFL champions, Rivers Angels.

He has previously managed Delta Queens and Royal Queens.

NWFL: Abia Angels credit coach Eshalomi for Super Six playoff feat