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Sport

Arsenal beat Cardiff City on EPL sombre night amid Sala tributes

EPL
London, Jan. 30, 2019 (Reuters/NAN) Arsenal struck two second half goals to earn a 2-1 win over relegation-threatened Cardiff City in the English Premier League at an emotional Emirates Stadium on Tuesday.

Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Alexandre Lacazette scored both goals for the Gunners.

Aubameyang scored with a 66th minute penalty kick, sending the ball past goalkeeper Neil Etheridge after Bruno Manga had fouled Sead Kolasinac.

Unai Emery’s side then made their overwhelming territorial superiority count as Lacazette scored a beauty in the 83rd minute.

He dribbled past Cardiff City skipper Sol Bamba before drilling a shot into the corner.

Nathaniel Mendez-Laing scored a late consolation goal for Cardiff City.

The match began in sombre fashion with tributes being made to Cardiff City’s Argentine striker Emiliano Sala.

Sala has been missing since a plane carrying him to Britain from Nantes disappeared over the English Channel.

It was Cardiff City’s first game since Sala, who had not played for the club since joining from Nantes, went missing.

Bamba and Arsenal skipper Mesut Ozil both placed bunches of daffodils on the pitch.

Fifth-placed Arsenal’s sixth successive home league win lifted them level on 47 points with Chelsea, who play on Wednesday.

Cardiff City, who scored for the first time in four league games, remain third from bottom. (Reuters/NAN)
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(Edited by Kamal Tayo Oropo and Olawale Alabi)

 

Sport

Arsenal revive EPL top-four hopes with win over Chelsea

Arsenal
London, Jan. 19, 2019 (Reuters/NAN) Arsenal revived their hopes of a top-four finish in the 2018/2019 English Premier League (EPL) by securing a comfortable 2-0 derby win at home to toothless Chelsea on Saturday.

First half goals by Alexandre Lacazette and Laurent Koscielny gave the Gunners the win which helped to cut the gap between them and Chelsea to three points.

Chelsea’s lack of punch in the final third of the pitch was evident again as they enjoyed 64 percent of possession without ever really threatening to unlock Arsenal’s defence.

Arsenal were far sharper as an attacking force and deserved more than Lacazette’s superb 14th-minute effort and skipper Koscielny’s scruffy goal in a scintillating opening period.

But those goals, and a resolute defensive display after the break, proved enough to give Arsenal only their third home league win against Chelsea in 10 years.

It also meant that they moved back into fifth place on goal difference with 44 points, three behind fourth-placed Chelsea.

“Today we needed to win. We made a mistake last week (at West Ham). So, today’s game was a six-pointer,” Koscielny said.

“If we lose we will be nine points (off Chelsea) and if we win the gap will be just three points.’’

When the ball was played in Koscielny was unmarked but he mistimed his header, only for the ball to spin off his shoulder and beyond the reach of Chelsea’s goalkeeper.

Arsenal restricted Chelsea in the second half as the visitors enjoyed the lion’s share of possession without ever opening up Arsenal’s defence.

Not even the introduction of former Arsenal striker Olivier Giroud, cheered by the home crowd, could liven up Chelsea’s blunt attack.

Chelsea attack has now managed six goals fewer than any other top-six side this season.

The one sour note for Arsenal was the sight of Spanish right back Hector Bellerin leaving the field on a stretcher with what appeared to be a knee injury.(Reuters/NAN)
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(Edited by Olawale Alabi)

Sport

Rice’s first West Ham goal enough to sink Arsenal

EPL

London, Jan. 12, 2019 (Reuters/NAN) Declan Rice’s first goal for West Ham United earned his side a deserved first home victory over Arsenal for 13 years on Saturday.

The youngster’s 48th minute strike secured a 1-0 win at the London Stadium.

Arsenal began brightly and then had a flurry of chances after falling behind but West Ham were good value for the three points as they put a dent in Arsenal’s top-four hopes.

Former Arsenal midfielder Samir Nasri, rebuilding his career at West Ham after a doping ban, was at the heart of much of West Ham’s best work on his Premier League debut for the club.

It was the Frenchman’s neat lay-off that allowed 19-year-old midfielder Rice the space to curl a superb shot past Bernd Leno.

Rice had headed wide in a first half in which West Ham took charge with Felipe Anderson drilling a shot fractionally wide of the post after another lay-off by Frenchman Nasri.

Arsenal striker Alexandre Lacazette had a double chance early on and Matteo Guendouzi’s 25-metre effort flew just wide but Arsenal struggled to exert any sustained pressure.

Alex Iwobi shaved the post with a low shot but Arsenal failed to score for the first time in 21 Premier League matches.

The north London oitfit remain fifth on 41 points while West Ham move up to eighth on 31 points before the rest of the weekend fixtures. (Reuters/NAN)

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Sport

Arsenal may seek loan deals in January, says Emery

Arsenal may seek loan deals in January, says Emery

Transfer

London, Jan. 11, 2019 (Reuters/NAN) Arsenal are looking at signing players who can ensure a strong finish to their Premier League campaign, but their transfer activity this month could be restricted to loan signings, manager Unai Emery has said.

The north London club are fifth on the table with 41 points, but Emery said fans could not expect permanent recruits in January.

They have missed out on top-four finishes and Champions League qualification in the previous two seasons.

“We cannot sign permanently. We can only loan players,” Emery told a news conference ahead of Saturday’s league trip to West Ham United.

The Spaniard pointed out the difficulties in recruiting players in the January transfer window, but said the club were keeping their eyes open.

“I know the club is working on possibilities of which players can help us with big performances like we need now.

“If we can find one player who can help us like we need, with the quality and a different player for getting in our squad, we are going to do it,” Emery added.

Arsenal’s transfer strategy in recent seasons has seen players run down their contract and leave for free, the latest being midfielder Aaron Ramsey.

The Welsh midfielder is set to join Juventus in the close season after failing to agree a new deal.

“I respect his decision a lot. My last conversation with him is very important,” Emery said.

“We both spoke about the situation with respect from him and from us. His response has been very good in training and matches with good performances.

“I want his behaviour and his focus to be on West Ham on Saturday.” (Reuters/NAN)

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Edited by Emmanuel Okara/Salif Atojoko

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Sport

Blackpool fan protests on roof of Arsenal team bus

Protest

Blackpool (UK), Jan. 5, 2019 (Reuters/NAN) Arsenal’s team bus was briefly delayed on the way to Blackpool’s stadium for Saturday’s FA Cup third round tie after a home fan climbed onto its roof in protest at the home club’s owners.

The fan was photographed sitting on top of the coach at Arsenal’s team hotel shortly before the London side were to depart for the 6:30pm kickoff at Bloomfield Road.

Supporters of third-tier Blackpool have regularly protested against club owner Owen Oyston and many are boycotting home games.

Attendance these days averages only 4,129 at their 17,000-seater ground which hosted Premier League football in 2010-11.

The protest did not last long, according to the BBC, and the Arsenal team arrived in good time for kickoff. (Reuters/NAN)

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Sport

Arsenal bounce back with 4-1 win over Fulham

EPL

London, Jan. 1, 2019 (Reuters/NAN) Arsenal returned to winning ways on Tuesday with a 4-1 victory over struggling Fulham at the Emirates Stadium.

The Gunners had been shaken by a 5-1 thrashing from leaders Liverpool on Saturday and made a poor start, with Ryan Sessegnon twice missing opportunities to put Fulham ahead.

But the nerves were eased in the 25th minute when Granit Xhaka struck for Arsenal after collecting a chip into the box from Alex Iwobi.

Alexandre Lacazette made it 2-0 in the 55th minute, converting after Sead Kolasinac pulled the ball back from the byline after some excellent team passing.

Aboubakar Kamara pulled one back for Claudio Ranieri’s Fulham in the 69th minute.

But Aaron Ramsey added a third for Arsenal and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang’s deflected shot wrapped up the win.

The win was only the second in six games for Arsenal, but it moves them within two points of fourth-placed Chelsea, who host Southampton on Wednesday. (Reuters/NAN)

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Edited by Muhyideen Jimoh/Ali Baba-Inuwa

Sport

Firmino hat-trick fires Liverpool to 5-1 win over Arsenal

Hat-trick
Liverpool (UK), Dec. 29, 2018 (Reuters/NAN) Roberto Firmino struck a hat-trick as rampant Liverpool opened up a nine-point lead at the top of the English Premier League after crushing Arsenal 5-1 at Anfield on Saturday.

Arsenal stunned the home crowd by taking the lead in the 11th minute.

Ainsley Maitland-Niles scoring his first league goal for the club as he connected at the back post with an Alex Iwobi cross.

It was the first time Juergen Klopp’s side had trailed at home since Dec. 30 of 2017, but just three minutes later they were back on level terms.

Mohamed Salah jinked into the box and went down under a challenge but the ball fell to Firmino who made no mistake with a cheeky “no look’’ finish.

Firmino then showed his full range of skills with a brilliant solo goal as he dribbled past three Arsenal defenders before slotting home with his left foot.

Sadio Mane made it 3-1, converting a low Salah cross after a brilliant cross-field pass from Andy Robertson.

And then on the stroke of halftime Salah made it 4-1 from the spot after he had been brought down in the box.

Firmino completed his hat-trick, from the penalty kick spot, driving home in front of the Kop after Sead Kolasinac was ruled to have pushed over Dejan Lovren.

Liverpool are nine points clear of second-placed Tottenham Hotspur, who lost 3-1 at home to Wolverhampton Wanderers.

Third-place Manchester City, who are 10 points behind Liverpool, can close the gap if they beat Southampton on Sunday.(Reuters/NAN)
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(Edited by Olawale Alabi)

Sport

Former Arsenal Chairman, Hill-Wood, dies at 82

Peter Hill-Wood, former Arsenal chairman

Former Arsenal Chairman, Hill-Wood, dies at 82

Death

London, Dec. 28, 2018 (NAN) Former Arsenal chairman Peter Hill-Wood has died at the age of 82.

Hill-Wood, who became the chairman of the club in 1982 after joining its board in 1962, presided over the appointments of George Graham and Arsene Wenger as managers.

They went on to win five league titles, five FA Cups, the League Cup and European Cup Winners’ Cup between them.

The club, in a statement on Friday said, “It is with deep regret that we announce the death of former chairman, Peter Hill-Wood, at the age of 82.”

Ill-health forced Hill-Wood to step down from the position in June 2013.

Arsenal said he was also ‘instrumental’ in the successful move from Highbury to Emirates Stadium in 2006.

“Peter and his family’s influence on the club cannot be understated… Our thoughts are with his wife Sally and his children Sarah, Julian and Charles,” the statement, posted on the club’s website, concluded.

Born in Kensington, London, on Feb. 25, 1936 and died on Dec. 28, 2018, Hill-Wood attended Eton College. (NAN)

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Edited by Mustapha Lamidi/Salif Atojoko

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Sport

Aubameyang brace gives Arsenal win over Burnley

EPL

London, Dec. 22, 2018 (Reuters/NAN) Arsenal forward Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang shot to the top of the Premier League scoring charts with two goals in Saturday’s 3-1 home win over struggling Burnley.

The victory returns Arsenal to winning ways after two straight defeats.

The Gabon forward gave Arsenal the lead in the 14th minute, knocking in a pass from Sead Kolasinac after a classy ball from Mesut Ozil.

He then smashed high into the net in the 48th to complete an impressive counter-attack from Unai Emery’s side.

Burnley, 18th in the table and without an away win since September, hit back with a scrappy goal from Ashley Barnes.

Barnes had spurned a good chance to take an unlikely lead at the start of the game when Ashley Westwood was denied by the feet of Arsenal goalkeeper Bernd Leno.

Substitute Alex Iwobi restored Arsenal’s two-goal cushion with a simple finish in stoppage-time, helped by another clever move from German playmaker Ozil.

Ozil, Arsenal’s captain for the day, was left out of the team for Wednesday’s 2-0 League Cup defeat by Tottenham Hotspur.

Aubameyang’s brace moved him on to 12 goals for the season, leapfrogging Liverpool’s Mohamed Salah as the league’s top scorer.

His goals also take fifth-placed Arsenal on to 37 points, level with Chelsea who play Leicester City later.

Arsenal’s 22-game unbeaten run in all competitions was halted on Sunday with a 3-2 defeat at Southampton.

They were also knocked out of the League Cup at the quarter-final stage with a painful home loss to north London neighbours Tottenham. (Reuters/NAN)

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Sport

Ramsey wonder goal reminds Arsenal what they would miss

Ramsey wonder goal reminds Arsenal what they would miss

London, Oct. 7, 2018 (Reuters/NAN) Aaron Ramsey produced a contender for goal of the season in Arsenal’s 5-1 rout of Fulham on Sunday to underline why he will be such a loss if he leaves the club.

The Welshman’s contract expires at the end of the season.

The 27-year-old midfielder began and ended a wonderful free-flowing move at Craven Cottage to score Arsenal’s third just 39 seconds after coming on as a 67th-minute substitute.

First he dinked the ball over a defender deep in his own half before running on to make two key headers around the halfway line to allow the push forward to keep its momentum.

Finally he met Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang’s low cross with a delicate flick with the inside of his boot to beat Marcus Bettinelli in the Fulham goal.

The wonder-goal conjured memories of the sort of goals Dutch great Johan Cruyff used to score.

“It was an important goal for Aaron and an important goal for us,” said manager Unai Emery, with more than a touch of understatement.

“The best performer for us is every player.”

With Ramsey also providing a superb through ball to set up Aubameyang’s second — and Arsenal’s fifth — his contribution to the win was immense, with all five of Arsenal’s goals beautifully worked.

Earlier this month, Ramsey’s representatives Avid Sports & Entertainment Group confirmed he is likely to depart as a free agent at the end of the season.

Arsenal had club chosen not to continue discussions over a new contract.

“There is nothing we can do, the club made a decision. Life goes on,” it said in a tweet which has since been deleted.

Although Emery has said he would like to keep Ramsey, who is Arsenal’s longest serving player after joining in 2008, Arsenal are keen to keep their 200 million pound wage bill under control.

The club look willing to allow the Welshman to leave on a free transfer, just as Jack Wilshere did during the close season.

Yet, even if Ramsey does leave, Emery is clearly not short of midfield options, with Alex Iwobi impressing before being replaced by the Welshman.

Germany’s Mesut Ozil also missed Sunday’s game with injury.

“Our performance over the 90 minutes was very important; to be together and with our performance we found each moment and each player,” said Emery.

The win was Arsenal’s ninth in succession in all competitions — their best run since stringing together eight successive wins from March to April 2015 — and put them into the top four.

“I believe in us, we believe in our process but also we must keep taking confidence. I think we are in the first competition in the war.

“It is very difficult but we must prepare, continue improving and show big commitment,” said Emery. (Reuters/NAN)

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Edited by Silas Nwoha