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Cyriel Dessers has expressed disappointment with his injury-induced exit from the ongoing 2025 Africa Cup of Nations, DAILY POST reports.

Dessers was forced to return to his Greek club, Panathinaikos last week after picking up a thigh injury in training with the Super Eagles.

The striker failed to make an appearance for the Super Eagles in Morocco before leaving camp.

The 31-year-old is expected to be sidelined for around three months.

Dessers took to the social media to express his frustration.

“Unfortunately I sustained an injury at AFCON. It’s extremely difficult to accept that I will miss the remainder of the tournament and an important period at Panathinaikos,” the striker wrote.

The former Rangers star will be rooting for the Super Eagles to get a win in their Round of 16 encounter against Algeria on Saturday.

He is expected to get a medal should the Super Eagles emerge champions in Morocco.

AFCON 2025: Dessers laments injury-induced exit 

The stage is set for the Premier League match of the weekend when Arsenal will host Newcastle United at the Emirates Stadium on Saturday evening.

Both teams head to the game after losing their last Premier League matches.

Arsenal lost 2-1 against Manchester City, while Newcastle also lost 2-1 against Bournemouth.

The last time both teams met in the reverse fixture last September, the Gunners won 2-1 against the Magpies at St. James’ Park.

Arsenal currently sit in the second position on the Premier League table and will go top ahead of Man City if they beat Newcastle, who sit in 14th position, today.

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has already said in his pre-match press conference that Bukayo Saka will be in the squad for the game after recovering from an Achilles injury that has kept him out of our last five games, while Riccardo Calafiori could also be back in contention.

However, Arteta will be without Jurrien Timber, who is still recovering from a groin problem he sustained against Everton last month, while Mikel Merino is out with the foot injury he sustained back in January.

For Newcastle manager, Eddie Howe, he will be without his star player, Anthony Gordon, who has been ruled out with a hip injury, while Tino Livramento’s season could be over after damaging a hamstring against Bournemouth last weekend.

Joelinton is suspended after picking up his 10th yellow card of the season against Bournemouth, while Fabian Schar and Emil Krafth remain out long-term with knee injuries.

Captain Bruno Guimaraes trained all week and could be in action for How’s side against the hosts.

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The head coach of the Super Eagles, Eric Chelle, has named his final squad for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations.

Chelle has trimmed his initial 50-man squad to 28 players.

The most obvious absentee is captain William Troost-Ekong, who announced his retirement from international football last week.

However, vice-captains Wilfred Ndidi and Victor Osimhen make the cut.

The deadline for the submission of the final squads was December 10.

The Super Eagles squad in full:
Goalkeepers: Stanley Nwabali (Chippa United, South Africa), Amas Obasogie (Singida Blackstars, Tanzania), Francis Uzoho (Omonia FC, Cyprus)

Defenders: Calvin Bassey (Fulham FC, England), Semi Ajayi (Hull City, England), Bright Osayi-Samuel (Birmingham City, England), Bruno Onyemaechi (Olympiakos, Greece), Chidozie Awaziem (Nantes FC, France), Zaidu Sanusi (FC Porto, Portugal), Igoh Ogbu (Slavia Prague, Czech Republic), Ryan Alebiosu (Blackburn Rovers, England)

Midfielders: Alex Iwobi (Fulham FC, England), Frank Onyeka (Brentford FC, England), Wilfred Ndidi (Besiktas FC, Turkey), Raphael Onyedika (Club Brugge, Belgium), Tochukwu Nnadi (Zulte Waregem, Belgium), Fisayo Dele-Bashiru (SS Lazio, Italy), Ebenezer Akinsanmiro (Pisa SC, Italy), Usman Muhammed (Ironi Tiberias, Israel)

Forwards: Ademola Lookman (Atalanta BC, Italy), Samuel Chukwueze (Fulham FC, England), Victor Osimhen (Galatasaray FC, Turkey), Simon Moses (Paris FC, France), Chidera Ejuke (Sevilla FC, Spain), Akor Adams (Sevilla FC, Spain), Paul Onuachu (Trabzonspor AS, Turkey), Cyriel Dessers (Panathinaikos FC, Greece), Salim Fago Lawal (NK Istra 1961, Croatia)

BREAKING: AFCON 2025: Chelle names final 28-man Super Eagles squad [Full list]