Category: Sports

Arsenal boss, Mikel Arteta, has confirmed the players to feature and also miss the Gunners’ Champions League semi-final first leg clash against Atletico Madrid.

Arteta’s side will take on the LaLiga giants at the Metropolitano Stadium on Wednesday night.

The Premier League North London club heads to the game after beating Newcastle United in their last match on Saturday.

Speaking at his pre-match press conference on Tuesday, Arteta said the likes of Eberechi Eze, Bukayo Saka and Ricardo Calafiori will be available to feature for Arsenal, while Kai Havertz will miss the encounter due to injury.

“Eze, Calafiori, and Saka are all available and in the squad for tomorrow’s game against Atletico. Kai is out,” Arteta said.

The kick-off time for the Champions League semi-final tie is 8 pm.

UCL: Arteta confirms Arsenal players to play, miss Atletico Madrid clash

Nasarawa United technical adviser, Mbwas Mangut, has urged the players to put up a good showing in the President Federation Cup.

The Solid Miners beat Nigeria National League, NNL, side Basira FC 1-0 to win the Nasarawa State Federation Cup last weekend.

Nasarawa United and Basira FC will represent the state in the President Federation Cup.

Mangut admitted that his players showed bravery to secure the victory.

“Cup finals are won by fine details. We stayed patient, stayed brave, and when the moment came, we took it,” Mangut told the club’s media.

“We hope to replicate the same attitude when we get into action at the National FA Cup.”

President Federation Cup: Mangut urges Nasarawa United to maintain momentum

Nasarawa United midfielder Benjamin Oloche is expected to undergo a late fitness test ahead of the club’s Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) matchday 36 fixture against Shooting Stars.

Oloche was substituted during the 2026 Nasarawa State Federation Cup final at the Lafia City Stadium after picking up a shoulder injury.

The youngster played a key role in the Solid Miners’ semifinal win over Si14 FC, scoring one goal and providing two assists.

Nasarawa United technical adviser Mbwas Mangut said he is hopeful the player will return quickly.

“We pray he recovers quickly from his shoulder injury than earlier feared,” Mangut told the club’s media.

Nasarawa United will face Shooting Stars in Ibadan this weekend.

NPFL: Oloche doubtful for Nasarawa United vs Shooting Stars

Nasarawa Amazons have expressed their readiness for battle in the Nigeria Women Football League, NWFL, matchday 17 clash against Sunshine Queens.

The Amazons will host Sunshine Queens at the Lafia City Stadium on Wednesday and need a win to secure qualification for the NWFL Super Six playoff tournament.

The Lafia-based side said that they will work hard to achieve their target.

“We roar as we battle and stand strong, united for victory,” Nasarawa Amazons stated ahead of the game.

“Every step, every pass, every goal for the badge, for the pride.”

DAILY POST reports that Abia Angels and Remo Stars Ladies are also in contention for a playoff ticket from Group B.

Robo Queens are the only team from the group to have qualified for the playoff.

NWFL: Nasarawa Amazons target Super Six playoff spot

Former Manchester United defender, Rio Ferdinand, has singled Arsenal’s Eberechi Eze as the player who could drag the team over the line in the Premier League title race.

Eze scored his 10th goal of the campaign, as the Gunners beat Newcastle 1-0 last Saturday.

The win took Mikel Arteta’s men back to the top of the Premier League table, three points ahead of Manchester City.

“You know what I think is a key thing? You’ve got to let Eze free. Let Eze go and win you the league,” Ferdinand said on his YouTube channel.

“If you let him just roll and let him go, my man is capable, I think, of dragging you lot over the line.”

EPL: Rio Ferdinand names player who can ‘drag Arsenal over the line’ in title race

Manchester City legend, Sergio Aguero, has named his favourites to win the UEFA Champions League this season.

Reigning champions Paris Saint-Germain will tackle Bayern Munich in the semi-final first leg tie in Paris on Tuesday night.

Atletico Madrid will host Arsenal in the second semi-final first leg tie on Wednesday in Spain.

However, Aguero feels PSG are the favourites to win the Champions League. According to him, the French Ligue 1 side are very dangerous.

“I think PSG are doing very well,” Aguero told Stake when speaking about the favourite to win the Champions League.

“It’s not easy to be back-to-back champions, but today both Bayern and Paris are very strong.

“We will see what happens, but I think PSG have many chances. They play in the same way, they have very difficult players to stop, they are dangerous, and today they look a bit more complete.

“With Luis Enrique, they know exactly what they want and how they want to play. I think today we all think Paris have the best chance.”

UCL: They’re dangerous – Sergio Aguero names favourites to win trophy

Atletico Madrid manager, Diego Simeone, has revealed that his player, Julian Alvarez, is wanted by Arsenal, Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain.

Simeone stated this at his pre-match press conference ahead of Atletico Madrid’s Champions League semi-final tie against Arsenal at Metropolitano Stadium on Wednesday.

“I’m not inside Julian Alvarez’s head,” the Argentine said when asked about reports linking his country man with Arsenal.

“I understand it’s normal that an extraordinary player like Julian Alvarez is wanted by Arsenal, Paris Saint-Germain, Barcelona.

“It’s normal because he is very good.”

Alvarez joined Atletico Madrid from Premier League giants Manchester City in 2024.

UCL: Diego Simeone names Atletico Madrid player wanted by Arsenal, PSG, Barcelona

Atlético Madrid manager, Diego Simeone, has given an update regarding Ademola Lookman’s injury, confirming that the forward has not yet received medical clearance prior to Atlético Madrid’s UEFA Champions League semi-final first leg against Arsenal.

Lookman sustained the injury during the Copa del Rey final loss to Real Sociedad, where he had to leave the field in the second half.

The Nigerian international has subsequently missed La Liga matches against Elche CF and Athletic Bilbao, raising concerns about his availability for the vital encounter against Arsenal.

During his press conference ahead of the match against Arsenal, Simeone commended Lookman’s influence, while acknowledging that Atlético Madrid will make a last-minute decision regarding his fitness and recovery.

“The truth is that his arrival has had a very positive impact on the team,” he stated at the pre-match press conference via Futbol Fantasy.

“He truly possesses some distinguishing offensive qualities.

“He is improving significantly in his defensive contributions. We will assess his recovery tomorrow, as he was still experiencing some discomfort today. Therefore, we will determine if he can assist us tomorrow or not.”

Lookman has become an essential player for Atlético Madrid since his transfer from Atalanta during the winter transfer window.

The former African Footballer of the Year has netted two goals and provided two assists in six UEFA Champions League matches, including a vital goal in the second leg of the quarter-final against FC Barcelona.

His crucial goal enabled Atlético Madrid to secure their spot in the semi-finals, successfully resisting a determined comeback attempt from Barcelona after falling behind 2-0 at Camp Nou.

Atletico vs Arsenal: ‘He still feels discomfort’ – Simeone on Lookman’s availability

FC Basira have announced the disengagement of nine players after the completion of the 2025-26 Nigeria National League, NNL, season.

The released players are, Abdullahi Abdulrahman, Zamani Panshak, Mko Andrew, Zakaria Sunday, Enoch Kudu.

Others are veteran midfielder Ichull Lordson, Peter Eneji, Musa Aminu and Ishaku Faisal.

The management of the Lafia-based side made the announcement in a statement signed by the media officer Ramalan Abubakar.

FC Basira missed out on a promotion to the Nigeria Premier Football League, NPFL.

They finished the campaign in third position on the NNL Conference C table.

NNL: FC Basira releases nine players after missing NPFL promotion

Arsenal have received a double injury boost ahead of their Champions League semi-final first leg at Atletico Madrid.

Eberechi Eze and Kai Havertz both limped off during the 1-0 win over Newcastle last weekend.

But Eze was spotted in training on Tuesday ahead of the trip to Spain.

The England midfielder was joined on the training pitch by defender Riccardo Calafiori, who has been missing since early April.

However, Jurrien Timber was once again absent.

Arsenal fans will be made to sweat on the fitness of Havertz, despite Arteta calling his problem a “niggle” at the weekend. It’s unlikely he will be involved in midweek European action.

UCL: Arsenal receive double injury boost ahead Atletico semi-final