Sports
Osimhen, Boniface on four-man Arsenal strikers shortlist
Osimhen, Boniface on four-man Arsenal strikers shortlist
Arsenal have apparently drawn up a four-man shortlist of striking options for the summer transfer window, with Super Eagles duo Victor Osimhen and Victor Boniface among them.
During a dismal spell of winter form, in which they won just one of seven games from December 9 to January 7 with just five goals to boast, Gooners were crying out for a new striker to arrive midway through the season.
However, with the threat of Financial Fair Play sanctions hovering over their heads, Arsenal – who spent over £200m on Declan Rice, Kai Havertz and Jurrien Timber in the summer transfer window – did not answer their supporters’ calls.
Mikel Arteta and Edu’s decision to stick with the options at their disposal has been vindicated, as the Gunners have run riot since returning from a mid-season Dubai training camp, winning each of their first six Premier League games in 2024.
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The Gunners have struck a staggering 25 top-flight goals in that time – including 15 in their last three matches with Newcastle United, Burnley and West Ham United – but their shortcomings did come to the fore in a 1-0 loss to Porto in the first leg of their last-16 Champions League contest.
Leading number nine Gabriel Jesus has struggled with knee injuries during his time at the Emirates Stadium, while Eddie Nketiah is still playing second fiddle to the Brazilian and is not a long-term solution up front.
Having also allowed Folarin Balogun to depart for Monaco over the summer, Arsenal are expected to prioritise the capture of a new marksman this summer, and according to TEAMtalk, four names are under consideration.
The first of those is Napoli talisman and 2022-23 Serie A top scorer Victor Osimhen, who netted 26 times en route to Scudetto glory last season but is confirmed to be leaving the club at the end of the campaign.
The Gunners are said to be behind Chelsea in the race to sign the Nigeria international, though, while Paris Saint-Germain are also in the running and are better placed to pay Osimhen’s mammoth £113m release clause.
Osimhen, Boniface on four-man Arsenal strikers shortlist
Sports
Ronaldo playing in Saudi league for money like me – Ighalo
Ronaldo playing in Saudi league for money like me – Ighalo
Ex-Super Eagles striker Odion Ighalo has disclosed that the decision of Cristiano Ronaldo and other top footballers to ply their trade in Saudi Arabia was informed by pecuniary motives.
Ronaldo moved to Saudi Arabian club Al Nassr last year in a stunning three-year deal that would see him earn €210.704 million in total.
Other top footballers, who have made names for themselves in Europe, have also moved to Saudi Arabia as the the oil-rich middle east nation injected massive cash into league in order to make it a football powerhouse.
Reacting to the move of Ronaldo to Saudi Arabia and the influx of big players to the Saudi league, Ighalo said the motivation behind these moves was money and not passion.
Ighalo made this known during an interview with sport journalist, Oma Akatugba.
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He said. “See people that are going to Saudi Arabia, big players. Is Ronaldo still playing for passion? He has made more than 100 times what I have in my life, but he still went to Saudi. You want to tell me that is passion? No, it’s for money.
“It’s only when we Africans say it they will say we like money. But these people don’t care, some of them want to be highest paid and all that,”
Ighalo left mainstream Europe for Chang Chung Yatai in 2017 after playing for Lyn, Udinese, Granada, Cesena, and Watford.
At Yatai, he earned a reported €200,000 weekly salary, before moving to Chinese club Shanghai Shenhua where he also commanded a similar wage.
Ighalo spent one year in Shanghai before moving to Manchester United on a six-month loan deal.
After that, the 34-year-old joined Al Shabbab, where he started earning €170,000.
Ronaldo playing in Saudi league for money like me – Ighalo
Sports
MLS: Messi’s double keeps Miami on top of the league table
MLS: Messi’s double keeps Miami on top of the league table
Lionel Messi showcased his brilliance with a double and an assist for Sergio Busquets as Inter Miami secured a 3-1 victory over Nashville on Saturday, keeping them at the summit of Major League Soccer’s Eastern Conference.
Despite a shaky start that saw Franco Negri inadvertently deflect a corner into Miami’s net within two minutes, Messi swiftly equalized in the 11th minute after Luis Suarez redirected a rebounded shot from the Argentine.
Messi continued to menace Nashville’s defense, narrowly missing another goal before providing an exquisite cross for Diego Gomez, whose header was denied by Nashville keeper Elliot Panicco.
Miami capitalized on their momentum as Busquets, Messi’s former Barcelona teammate, nodded in a corner just before halftime, giving Miami a well-deserved lead.
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However, Miami suffered a setback as Gomez was stretchered off with an ankle injury, adding to their injury woes.
Although Nashville dominated possession in the second half, Miami remained resolute defensively. In the 81st minute, Messi sealed the win by converting a penalty after Leonardo Afonso was fouled in the box.
With this victory, Messi extended his impressive goal-scoring record to nine goals in as many games across all competitions for Miami.
Reflecting on Miami’s performance, manager Gerardo Martino praised his team’s resilience, particularly considering their depleted squad due to injuries.
Despite Miami’s success, Columbus Crew faced a tough battle, twice coming from behind to secure a 2-2 draw against Phil Neville’s Portland Timbers.
Meanwhile, Cincinnati clinched a 2-1 win over Atlanta United, with Luciano Acosta playing a pivotal role in their comeback victory. This highlights an eventful day in Major League Soccer.
MLS: Messi’s double keeps Miami on top of the league table
Sports
Arsenal beat Wolves to return to top spot
Arsenal beat Wolves to return to top spot
Arsenal put their Champions League disappointment firmly in the past by beating Wolves at Molineux and moving back to the top of the Premier League.
Having blown their chance to leapfrog Pep Guardiola’s side six days ago by losing at home to Aston Villa and then being knocked out of the Champions League by Bayern Munich on Wednesday, it was a welcome triumph for Mikel Arteta’s men.
Leandro Trossard’s strike in the last minute of the opening period may not have been the most eye-catching of the Belgian’s career, but it was perfectly timed.
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It came at the end of a half where Arsenal seemed to have gotten stuck after a bright start and nearly fell behind to Gary O’Neil’s injury-ravaged side.
The visitors dominated the second half too, but were unable to carve out the clear chances that would have allowed them to take the game out of reach.
Captain Martin Odegaard added the second deep into stoppage time at the end of the game, turning in from a tight angle after his initial cross had been blocked.
The result means Arsenal are now a point clear of City, with a better goal difference but having played a game more.
They have the chance to apply some significant pressure to the defending champions when they entertain beaten FA Cup semi-finalists Chelsea on Tuesday.
Arsenal beat Wolves to return to top spot
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