Category: Sports

Arsenal legend, Paul Merson has claimed that the Gunners players don’t trust teammate, Viktor Gyokeres.

In a recent appearance on The Overlap, Merson said Arsenal players never pass the ball to the Sweden international.

“Arsenal don’t trust Gyokeres,” Merson said. “They never pass to him. That is what I see when I watch Arsenal’s game.

“He comes short, and they don’t give him the ball and he makes some good runs as well.

“Sometimes, just put it in the channel for him to give it a run. He’s low at the moment, and I don’t think they trust him at all.”

Arsenal signed Gyokeres from Sporting Lisbon last year, following a standout season in the Portuguese league.

EPL: Arsenal stars don’t trust Gyokeres, they never pass ball to him – Merson

Manchester City boss, Pep Guardiola, has hailed Arsenal as a top-class team and the best club in Europe at the moment.

Guardiola spoke at his post-match interview after Man City’s Carabao Cup semi-final second leg victory against Newcastle United on Wednesday.

Guardiola’s side will take on their Premier League rivals Arsenal in the Carabao Cup final at Wembley Stadium next month.

“Hopefully, we arrive all fit in March to compete against an exceptional, top-class team,” Guardiola said.

“The first title Manchester City won was in the Carabao Cup. When you win something, it helps to win more.

“It is a pleasure to play against Arsenal, the best team right now in Europe and maybe the world.”

Carabao Cup: What Guardiola said about Arsenal after Man City qualify for final

Former Real Madrid player, Mutiu Adepoju has expressed confidence in new Atletico Madrid recruit Ademola Lookman, predicting a successful tenure for him at the LaLiga club.

Earlier this week, Lookman made a transfer move to Diego Simeone’s side from Serie A club Atalanta.

Speaking on Lookman’s move, Adepoju described it as a courageous decision, adding that he loves it.

“It is a very bold move, and I love it,” Adepoju told Footy-Africa.

“I think Ademola Lookman is going to a place where he is going to show his quality and everything he is about.

“He is a very good addition to the team, and I think he is going to have a great year at Atletico Madrid and in La Liga.”

Lookman is expected to feature for Atletico Madrid when they face Real Betis in the Copa del Rey tonight.

LaLiga: Mutiu Adepoju predicts Ademola Lookman’s fate at Atletico Madrid

Galatasaray manager, Okan Buruk has said that the salary of Victor Osimhen alone could build a complete team.

He made the open acknowledgement while speaking on the financial consequences of signing the Nigeria international and a few other players.

After a strong season on loan from Napoli, the Turkish Super Lig champions signed the former African Footballer of the Year permanently last summer, even though other top clubs in the Premier League and Saudi Arabia were also interested in him.

Osimhen ended his five-year time at Napoli when Galatasaray paid his €75 million clause to the Italian side.

The 2015 FIFA U17 World Cup winner earns a guaranteed annual salary of €15 million, along with a net loyalty bonus of €1 million per season and €5 million per year in image rights.

Osimhen signed a four-year contract, and the total cost for Galatasaray to bring him back to Istanbul is about €159 million over the length of the agreement.

Speaking after Galatasaray’s 3-1 win over Istanbulspor in the Turkish Cup, Buruk highlighted the consistent rise in the club’s spending on fees and salaries over the past year’s financial discipline.

“Galatasaray’s transfer fees and salaries have been going up since last year. With Osimhen’s transfer fee and salary, you could probably put together a full team,” Okan Buruk was quoted as saying by Galatasaray’s official webpage.

“We need to take these things into account.’ We brought in some very important players for the team, such as Singo, Uğurcan, Sané, and İlkay. Every team has a budget, and when you set up budgets at the start of the season, you need to follow that budget closely.”

With the next match against Rizespor in the Super Lig coming up, Buruk decided to let Osimhen rest for Wednesday’s game against Istanbulspor.

Turkey: ‘Osimhen’s salary alone can build full squad’ – Galatasaray manager, Buruk

Super Eagles goalkeeper, Stanley Nwabali, has left Chippa United after four years with the club.

This was confirmed in an official club statement on Thursday.

According to the South African club, Nwabali submitted a transfer request, asking to leave.

The 29-year-old only put pen to paper on a three-year contract extension deal in 2024.

Chippa United said they have “agreed to grant his [Nwabali] release” and wished him success in the next chapter of his career.

“We would like to sincerely thank Stanley Nwabali for the years of service, commitment, and professionalism he has shown during his time at Chippa United Football Club. His contribution to the club will always be appreciated,” the statement read.

Super Eagles goalkeeper Nwabali agrees contract termination with Chippa United

Former Liverpool star, Danny Murphy has slammed Cristiano Ronaldo for going on strike at Al-Nassr.

He thinks the Portuguese superstar is not considering the club and is focusing on himself.

Ronaldo refused to make himself available for Al-Nassr’s 1-0 win over neighbours Al Riyadh in the Saudi Super League on Monday night.

Journalist Ben Jacobs discussed on talkSPORT the reasons behind the club captain’s strike, mentioning that the captain was dissatisfied with the special treatment given to Al Hilal, which is also managed by the Al-Nassr owners’ PIF.

He stated that Cristiano Ronaldo is dissatisfied with the PIF strategy specifically. It also made a statement by not being available for Al Nassr’s win over Al Riyadh earlier.

Some in Saudi Arabia allege that Ronaldo did not want former teammate Karim Benzema to join Al Hilal. Instead, he felt it would be better for Saudi football for him to stay at Al Ittihad, or even join Al Nassr.

Others mention that this is an issue related to central funding and how it is specifically distributed.

So, Ronaldo’s argument, and Al Nassr’s fans have also been protesting, its about why Al Hilal received a large amount of money to spend before the Club World Cup, while Al Nassr’s share was a bit smaller.

The question is, is it this Benzema-specific or is there a broader disagreement over strategy and ultimately funding, as Ronaldo hasn’t been backed. He is expected to be fined and is likely to face punishment for not making himself available for selection.

Murphy was furious after hearing the explanation and criticized Ronaldo for his behavior.

He encouraged the club’s captain to donate part of his salary to support the club and stated, “Perhaps Ronaldo could give some of his earnings to the club so they can hire more players.

“I have never heard of something so ridiculous in my life, it’s self-indulgent nonsense.”

Ronaldo’s attempt to block Karim Benzema’s transfer to Al Hilal failed, as the French player joined the Saudi Pro League leaders on an 18-month contract.

Cristiano Ronaldo signed a two-year contract with Al-Nassr in 2025, which extends his time at the club until 2027. He joined them in 2022 following the contract termination at Manchester United, and has been their star player since.

The Portuguese superstar is yet to help his side win a major trophy. Since Ronaldo joined Al-Nassr, Al Hilal and Al Ittihad have won the league titles.

Reports in Portugal today indicated that Cristiano Ronaldo was dissatisfied and might think about his future this summer.

SPL: ‘Never heard of something so ridiculous in my life’ – Murphy slams Cristiano Ronaldo

Former England striker, Michael Owen, has insisted that Arsenal will not win the Quadruple this season.

The Gunners remain in four competitons, following their 4-2 aggregate win over Chelsea in the Carabao Cup semi-final.

Mikel Arteta’s men are six points ahead at the top of the Premier League and finished first in their Champions League group with a perfect record.

They will also play Wigan Athletic in the fourth round of the FA Cup.

“The league is obviously nearly wrapped up. And yes, they could win the Carabao Cup,” Owen said on talkSPORT.

“And then the two others are going to be absolutely tough.

“All the other clubs are going to be focused on the FA Cup to salvage their seasons. And they will put out strong teams.

“The Champions League could be anybody’s.”

Carabao Cup: Why Arsenal will not win the Quadruple – Michael Owen

Al-Ittihad have confirmed that N’Golo Kante’s contract with the club has been terminated.

Kante will now leave the Saudi Pro League side to join Fenerbahce.

This comes after FIFA gave its approval for the midfielder to make the switch, following an initial administrative blunder.

Kante will now put pen to paper on a deal until 2028 with Fenerbahce.

In a terse statement, Al-Ittihad announced Kante’s exit, posting on social media: “The club agrees to sell the remaining period of N’Golo Kanté’s contract.”

This brings to an end to the uncertainty that had clouded the player’s future over the last 48 hours.

Transfer: N’Golo Kante’s contract terminated

Arsenal legend, Paul Merson has slammed Chelsea manager, Liam Rosenior after the Gunners defeated the Blues in the Carabao Cup semi-final second leg tie on Tuesday.

Recall that Kai Havertz’s second half late goal ensured Arsenal defeated Chelsea to qualify for the Carabao Cup final.

Following the 1-0 loss, Rosenior emphasized the need for Chelsea to focus on “improvement” after the match.

However, Merson was critical of Rosenior’s remarks, suggesting that the 41-year-old spoke as if he inherited a team languishing at the bottom of the Premier League.

“I would love to talk to Arsenal players and ask, ‘Are you shocked what happened tonight? Did you think Chelsea would come here and have a right go?’ Merson told Sky Sports.

“Liam is talking like he came into Chelsea like they were fifth bottom in the league, they were not fifth bottom, they were still flying along, he is talking about improvement, Chelsea fans won’t be happy with that, I am sorry.”

EPL: You’re talking like Chelsea were fifth bottom position – Paul Merson slams Rosenior

Arsenal manager, Mikel Arteta has expressed his joy for Kai Havertz following the German’s decisive goal against Chelsea in the Carabao Cup semi-final second leg on Tuesday.

Havertz came off the bench and scored the game’s only goal as Arsenal won 1-0 against their Premier League London rivals to qualify for the Carabao Cup final.

However, Arteta believes that the former Chelsea star deserves the best after scoring against his old club at the Emirates Stadium.

“Everyone who knows Kai is genuinely happy for him because he deserves the best,” Arteta said.

“His work and the way he behaves to people every day. I just hope he enjoyed the moment because he deserves it.”

Havertz will hope to feature and also lead Arteta’s men to triumph when they clash with  Sunderland in the Premier League on Sunday.

Carabao Cup: What Arteta said about Kai Havertz after Arsenal knocked out Chelsea