Arteta Hails Consistent Home Form as Arsenal Defeats Lens

Published

1 year ago

November 30, 2023

Oluwamayowa Fakande

Mikel Arteta hailed Arsenal’s consistency after thrashing Lens 6-0 in the Champions League.

The Gunners qualified for the last 16 as Group B winners and the Basque head coach was full of praise for his players.

He said: “We had the chance to qualify top and we did it in a convincing way against a good side.

“From the beginning, we showed the determination to go for it. Everything happened in the right way and I am really happy.

“It is great we are able to win this way and we have been so consistent at home.

“The players need to have these experiences and believe we can do it against big players and teams.

“Now we wait and see who we have in February.”

Arsenal were prolific at the Emirates with six different players managing to get on the scoresheet, including last Saturday’s match winner Kai Havertz.

And with the hectic schedule starting to have an impact on teams, Arteta admits he is going to have to rely on his leaders to guide them through a tough period.

He added: “We share six different scorers. The team has the capacity which is really good for the confidence of the players.

“We only have five subs and are very short, we have to prioritise. Martin [Odegaard] said he was fine and managed himself in the second half.

“There are different options but today we were really attacking and we want to approach to win and be dominant.

“Declan Rice was superb. His consistency and understanding of the game, his decision-making and timing to win the ball back and the speed that he plays is so good.

“Havertz is scoring and playing well too, it is positive. The crowd are singing his name and being with him, he is a tremendous player.”

Arteta’s attention will now turn to Saturday as Arsenal return to Premier League action at home to Wolves.

Kayode Bags 2024 Golden Boy Awards

Published

6 days ago

November 28, 2024

Admin

By Oluwamayowa Fakande

Fiorentina right-back Michael Kayode has been named the Best Young Italian Player in the 2024 Golden Boy Awards.

The announcement was made on the Golden Boy X handle on Wednesday, celebrating Kayode’s outstanding season with the Serie A club.

“Best Italian Player Under 21 is MICHAEL KAYODE! Congratulations to @acffiorentina full-back for his incredible season!” the tweet read.

Born in Bergamo, Italy, to Nigerian parents, Kayode began his youth career at Juventus, where he spent seven years before moving on in 2018.

The 20-year-old spent the 2020–21 season with Serie D club Gozzano, where he scored two goals and provided two assists in 34 appearances, helping the club secure promotion to Serie C.

In 2021, Kayode joined Fiorentina and quickly made a name for himself within their youth sector. He won both the Coppa Italia Primavera and the Supercoppa Italiana Primavera with the club.

Kayode made his Serie A debut for Fiorentina on August 19, 2023, in a 4–1 victory over Genoa.

By the end of the season, he had become a regular in the first team, with his performances drawing attention from top European clubs. He also played a significant role in Fiorentina’s run to the UEFA Conference League final.

Sports

Trabzonspor Interested in Super Eagles Defender Bruno Onyemaechi

Published

7 days ago

November 27, 2024

ADMIN

By Oluwamayowa Fakande

Turkish football club Trabzonspor has shown interest in signing Super Eagles defender Bruno Onyemaechi, with plans to add a new left-back to their squad in the upcoming January transfer window.

Trabzonspor has reportedly initiated talks with Portuguese side Boavista regarding a potential transfer for the 25-year-old full-back. Boavista is open to selling Onyemaechi for approximately €2 million.

Onyemaechi, who joined Boavista from CD Feirense on loan in 2022, had his move made permanent the following season. The defender has two years remaining on his contract with Boavista and has scored once in 11 league appearances for the club this season.

Sports

2024 WAFCON Draw: Nigeria Eyes Glory as Tunisia Awaits

Published

2 weeks ago

November 23, 2024

Admin

By Oluwamayowa Fakande

The draw for the 2024 CAF Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) was held on Friday, November 22, 2024, at the Mohammed VI Technical Centre in Salé, Morocco, setting the stage for a thrilling tournament from July 5 to 26, 2025.

Nigeria, 11-time champions and perennial favorites, leads Group B alongside Tunisia, Algeria, and Botswana.

The Super Falcons, aiming for their 12th title, are set to reinforce their dominance in African women’s football.

Tunisia enters the tournament on the back of impressive progress in recent years, while Algeria makes a much-anticipated return to the continental stage.

Botswana, an underdog, could disrupt expectations with a rising team eager to prove its worth.

In Group A, hosts Morocco will look to deliver both on and off the pitch. The Atlas Lionesses, who were finalists in the last edition, face formidable opponents in Zambia, Senegal, and the returning DR Congo.

Group C promises fireworks as defending champions South Africa clash with Ghana, Mali, and Tanzania in what is expected to be a fiercely contested group.

As anticipation builds, the 2024 WAFCON is shaping up to be a historic event, with fans eagerly awaiting to see who will dethrone South Africa or if the defending champions will retain their crown.

One thing is certain: African women’s football will take center stage in July 2025, delivering drama and unforgettable moments.