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Arsenal have learned from Premier League pain – Arteta

Published

9 months ago

February 16, 2024

Mikel Arteta says title-chasing Arsenal have “learned a lot of things from last season” as they chase a fifth straight Premier League win against Burnley on Saturday.

The Gunners are third in the table, two points behind leaders Liverpool and level on points with second-placed Manchester City following last week’s impressive 6-0 victory at West Ham.

Arsenal, without a Premier League title since 2004, led for most of last season but faltered in the final stretch as City overtook them.

“We want to be there and that means that we’ve done a lot of things right during this season and we have learned a lot of things from last season,” Arteta told his pre-match press conference on Friday.

“We’ve shown a big level of consistency and good things in the team and now we want to go another step forward and maintain that consistency, continue to play the way we are playing and perform and let’s see where we get.”

The Spaniard said his side, who play Porto next week in the Champions League last 16, were facing a defining period and it was vital to have a fully fit squad.

“For me, that is requirement number one,” he said. “And at the moment, we don’t have it. And we’re going to have to have it and we are working really hard to have it.

“This is the requirement number one. The second, third, fourth, if we don’t have that one, it’s going to be difficult. I think we have a good chance.”

The Arsenal boss is anticipating a tough battle against relegation-threatened Burnley.

Vincent Kompany’s men are seven points from safety and have struggled in their first season back in the English top flight but Arteta spoke of his admiration for the Burnley boss.

The Spaniard coached the former Manchester City captain when he was Pep Guardiola’s assistant at the Etihad Stadium between 2016 and 2019.

“We know each other really well and I have huge respect for him,” he said. “We had a really good relationship when we worked together.

“I have a huge admiration for him when he was a player and he has a special aura around him. He has great ideas and a vision of how to play the game.”

Arteta was also asked whether the club would be interested in signing France captain Kylian Mbappe, who has told Paris Saint-Germain he intends to leave at the end of the season.

He said signing Mbappe would match the club’s ambitions of becoming the “best team”, though he admitted it was unlikely, with the player widely linked with a move to Real Madrid.

“When there is a player of that calibre then we always need to be in the conversation but it looks like (his future) is in a different way,” he added.

Author

Ambrose Ijeh

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Local News

‘We’ll Crush Super Eagles To 2026 World Cup Ticket’ – South Africa Coach Vows

Published

7 hours ago

November 21, 2024

Ambrose Ijeh

South African Coach Confident Of Beating Nigeria to 2026 World Cup ticket

South Africa’s head coach, Hugo Broos, is optimistic about his side’s chances of securing the 2026 World Cup ticket ahead of Nigeria and other contenders in Group C, as reported by Soccernet.

The Bafana Bafana currently sit second in Group C with seven points, trailing leaders Rwanda only on goal difference.

Meanwhile, Nigeria’s Super Eagles sit in a disappointing fifth place with three points, four behind South Africa, with six games left in the qualifying series.

Broos, whose side topped Group K in the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifiers for Morocco 2025, believes South Africa’s recent form gives them the edge.

Reflecting on their progress, he remarked: “It doesn’t mean that we have to now think that we are where we have to be. No. But little by little we are becoming a very good team.”

He continued: “That will give us the confidence that we need for the next thing we have to do, which is qualify for the World Cup.Nigerian football souvenirs

“But I’m confident that we can do it. I think, if SA can qualify for the World Cup it is now because we have quality; we have a good team. We can do it. But we still have to do it.”

South Africa’s Bafana have not lost a match since their semifinal exit against Nigeria at the Cote d’Ivoire 2023 AFCON.

In their last World Cup qualifier, they drew 1-1 with Nigeria in Uyo, a game where they nearly claimed all three points.

Broos plans to capitalise on South Africa’s AFCON momentum to navigate the World Cup qualifiers.

The coach expects to collect maximum points in their next matches against Lesotho and Zimbabwe, believing this will secure their ticket.

For Nigeria, the road ahead is challenging. The Super Eagles must win all their remaining fixtures while relying on other teams in the group to disrupt South Africa’s campaign.

The qualifiers resume in March 2025, with South Africa hosting Lesotho and Nigeria traveling to Rwanda.

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Ambrose Ijeh

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Local News

Victor Boniface Suffers Injury Setback

Published

8 hours ago

November 21, 2024

Ambrose Ijeh

According to SCORENigeria report, Victor Boniface suffered a thigh injury during a final 2025 AFCON qualifier against Rwanda in Uyo.

It was further revealed that the striker could now be sidelined for a couple of weeks on account of this latest injury setback.

‘Boni’ was long heralded as a valuable addition to the Super Eagles after his exploits for history-making German Bundesliga club Leverkusen last season.

However, he suffered a major abductor injury leading up to the delayed 2023 AFCON earlier this year in Cote d’Ivoire.

He subsequently missed the tournament and was sidelined for over three months after undergoing surgery.

The 23-year-old striker has come under heavy fire after he failed to open his goals account despite the opportunities and support he has enjoyed from coach Augustine Eguavoen.

He made his long-awaited Super Eagles debut in September 2023, but has yet to score for the country in 11 appearances.

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Ambrose Ijeh

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Oshoala Missing As Ajibade, Nnadozie Make Nominees’ List For CAF Award

Published

16 hours ago

November 21, 2024

Ambrose Ijeh

Oshoala Missing As Ajibade, Nnadozie Make Nominees' List For CAF Award

Two Super Falcons stars, Chiamaka Nnadozie and Rasheedat Ajibade, have earned nominations for the 2024 CAF Women’s Player of the Year award.

The recognition follows their outstanding performances for both club and country between January and October, stamping their places among Africa’s best talents in the women’s category.

For the first time in years, reigning champion Asisat Oshoala, a multiple-time winner of the prestigious award, has missed out on a nomination.

The former Barcelona Femeni forward, who claimed the title last year, has been a dominant figure in the category since 2022.

Nigeria’s standout goalkeeper, Nnadozie, has been in phenomenal form. She played a crucial role for the Super Falcons during the 2024 Olympic qualifiers and the main tournament, earning her a chance to win the Goalkeeper of the Year award for the second consecutive time.Nigerian football memorabilia

Her heroics also extended to her club, Paris FC, where she helped the French side reach the group stage of the UEFA Women’s Champions League.

Ajibade, on the other hand, has been a pivotal figure for Atlético Madrid and the Super Falcons. The forward was instrumental in securing Nigeria’s qualification for the 2024 Olympics after a 16-year absence.

At her club, she delivered consistently, winning Player of the Month awards in March and September, which further reveal her impact.Nigerian football memorabilia

The 2024 CAF Awards ceremony will take place on December 16 in Morocco, where Africa’s finest footballers will be celebrated.

Nnadozie and Ajibade will face tough competition from other nominees in the Women’s Player of the Year category, including:

Sandrine Niyonkuru (Burundi / FC Masar)
Tabitha Chawinga (Malawi / Olympique Lyonnais)
Temwa Chawinga (Malawi / Kansas City)
Sanaa Mssoudy (Morocco / AS FAR)
Jermaine Seoposenwe (South Africa / Monterrey)
Thembi Kgatlana (South Africa / Tigres UANL)
Barbara Banda (Zambia / Orlando Pride)
Racheal Kundananji (Zambia / Bay FC)