Sports

Declan Rice offers Mikel Arteta ‘Plan B’ in hope of avoiding fresh title collapse

Published

1 year ago

December 13, 2023

It is a measure of Arsenal’s success in this season’s Champions League that their trip to Eindhoven was such a strange one. Mikel Arteta’s side required only five games to guarantee top spot in Group B, which meant that their sixth was little more than a chance for the Arsenal manager to experiment with his side.

A glorified training session? Perhaps. But that does not mean it was not worthwhile. Arteta used it as an opportunity to provide opportunities to the fringe players in his squad, to see who might propel themselves into contention. He also used it to try something new: Declan Rice, the £105 million midfielder, played most of the second half in the centre of defence.

Rice has played at the back before, in his early days at West Ham United. A long time has passed since then, though, and he is certainly not considered a defender any more.

Perhaps it was an indication, then, of Arteta’s Plan B – which we might also refer to as the ‘no-Saliba plan’. The loss of William Saliba to injury last season proved fatal to Arsenal’s title hopes. Is it possible that, if such a situation were to happen again, Rice would be the man to step in?

“We have to try,” said Arteta. “If we have an emergency we have to understand and be sure we can fill that gap in the right way. He has a lot of composure on the ball, he wins a lot of duels and he has done it in the past. He is a good option.”

Sports

Kenya, Ethiopia Win 2025 Lagos City Marathon

Published

1 day ago

February 15, 2025

Samson Adeyanju

By Adenike Lawal

Kenyan runner Edwin Kibet and Ethiopian athlete Guta Meseret Hirpa dominated the 2025 Access Bank Lagos City Marathon, reaffirming East Africa’s stronghold on the prestigious race.

Kibet clinched his second Lagos marathon title in the men’s category, finishing in 2:14:06 to claim the $50,000 prize.

In the women’s division, Hirpa secured her first victory, crossing the finish line in 2:37:04.

Nigerian runner Nyango Gyang Boyi made history as the top local finisher, placing eighth overall with a time of 2:25:41.58.

His performance earned him $4,000 and N2 million as the highest-placed Nigerian competitor.

The race, which started at Western Avenue in Surulere and ended at Eko Atlantic City, saw participation from Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu and thousands of other runners.

Now a World Athletics Gold Label event, the marathon continues to gain global prominence.

Sports

Lagos Marathon: No Nigerian Winner Since 2016

Published

1 day ago

February 15, 2025

Samson Adeyanju

By Abdulkareem Adeyemi

Kenyan and Ethiopian athletes have dominated the Access Bank Lagos City Marathon since its inception in 2016, with no Nigerian securing a victory in the prestigious Gold Label race.

Kenyan runners have won eight times, while Ethiopian athletes claimed the title in 2019 and 2022.

The fastest recorded time remains 2 hours, 10 minutes, set by Kenya’s David Barmasai in 2020.

Despite strong participation from Nigerian runners, East Africans continue to reign supreme in the annual 42 km race.

Sports

Kenya, Ethiopia Dominate 2025 Lagos City Marathon

Published

2 days ago

February 15, 2025

Samson Adeyanju

By Ifeoluwa Odunayo

Kenya’s Edwin Kibet and Ethiopia’s Guta Meseret Hirpa clinched victory at the 2025 Access Bank Lagos City Marathon, reaffirming East Africa’s dominance in the event.

Kibet secured the men’s title in 2:14:06, winning $50,000—his second triumph after a 2023 victory.

Hirpa claimed her first title in the women’s category with a time of 2:37:04.

Nigeria’s Nyango Gyang Boyi made history as the first local runner to finish in the top 10, placing 8th with 2:25:41.58 and earning a total of $4,000 and N2 million.

The gold-label marathon attracted thousands of participants, including Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu.