Arsenal survived one of those nights at Brighton Probably one of the ugliest anyone has seen Arsenal played since they came off the bench under Mikel Arteta, but the fact that they came out unscathed is a testament to how much they’ve learnt from their past failures. Not every matchday do you see Arsenal complete 101 defensive actions. Brighton had them all night, but the defence would not be breached. Even when they had David Raya beaten thanks to an error of his own making, Gabriel was there so smother. The Brazilian, alongside Piero Hincapie and Jurrien Timber were just…
Author: Kehinde-Hassan Afolabi
Michael Carrick finally suffered his first defeat as Manchester United interim coach in his 11th game in charge of the club as interim coach over two stints, following a 2-1 defeat at 10-man Newcastle United on Wednesday night. William Osula’s late solo goal condemned his team to a first defeat despite playing the whole of the second-half a man up, after Jacob Ramsey’s red card before half-time made it appear they could make it three straight wins. Anthony Gordon won and converted a penalty moments after the dismissal, but United fired back before halftime, as Casemiro headed home Bruno Fernandes’…
The Champions League round of 16 draws and the road to the Budapest final have been confirmed in Friday’s event in Nyon, Switzerland, and while some teams received favourable draws and others didn’t, there is never a guarantee of a spot in the next round. In the Champions League, winners are not forged on reputation but what they put forward in the present, and the stories of those who have built a pedigree in the competition are enough testament, that nothing is assured. The search for evidence of this wouldn’t take us that far. Who knew Bodø/Glimt, for instance, would…
Eddie Howe and why the Newcastle United project is not taking off? It’s been well over four years since the Newcastle United takeover by a consortium led by Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund, a deal that sent expectations skyrocketing across the black-and-white side of Tyneside. Yet, the intervening years have largely yielded anti-climax. Compared to other transformative takeovers in Premier League history, Newcastle’s project is faltering. This is despite the fact that they ended a long-awaited trophy drought with the Carabao Cup on March 16, 2025. Their success has not been linear, at least not to the level expected of…
On Tuesday night, Bodø/Glimt completed the double over Inter to reach the round of 16 of the UEFA Champions League, an achievement that saw them achieve a host of European pedigree which had been far-fetched for a side outside of the top five leagues. From becoming the northernmost club to reach the round of 16 to extending their impeccable giant-killing record, we take a look at some of the milestones that fell in the wake of Kjetil Knutsen’s charges. 5 incredible Bodø/Glimt feat after Inter win 1. Extended giant-killing feat Before kickoff on the night, the Norwegian side has won…
Why always Vinicius Jr. campaign exposed? Since Vinicius Jr. accused Benfica’s Gianluca Prestianni of racial abuse during their UEFA Champions League clash on Tuesday night, there has been a host of narratives, especially with the involvement of Kylian Mbappé. The widespread publicity surrounding the doubts about Vinícius Jr.’s claims and Kylian Mbappé’s testimony is not just an attack on the players; whether or not the public realizes this, it is a tactical method of silencing future victims. If global superstars can be taunted and doubted this relentlessly, one can only imagine the ordeal a random player would face when their…
After a week where discussion was centered around Racism following the Champions League incident, perpetrators took it to different level in the Premier League weekend as four players were subjected to online abuse. Four Premier League stars targeted in racial abuse Wesley Fofana was the first to report racial abuse this weekend, following his red card in Chelsea home draw against Burnley, which saw them miss the chance to close the gap on third place Aston Villa. The Frenchman was shown a second yellow card for a bad tackle on James Ward-Prowse 18 minutes from time, reducing Chelsea to 10…
Bodo/Glimt became only the fourth team in Champions League history to win three consecutive matches against teams that have been finalists before, after their surprise 3-1 victory over Inter in their elimination playoff first-leg on Wednesday. The Norwegian side, on the brink of league phase exit after picking up just two points in their opening five games, but have miraculously turned around their campaign, after seven points in a difficult final three fixtures. Although their progress into the knockout rounds came as a surprise given how they positioned before the turn of the year, it is not as shocking to…
As Eric Chelle presents a rigorous 19-point demand for a contract extension, the NFF faces a critical dilemma between financing an expensive technical overhaul and risking the stability of a Super Eagles side finally showing signs of life. The corridors of the Glass House in Abuja are no strangers to drama, but the latest script submitted by Eric Sekou Chelle is particularly bold. The Franco-Malian tactician has presented a 19-point manifesto outlining his continued tenure as Super Eagles head coach, which includes provisions such as an armored SUV, 24-hour power supply, and a monthly salary of $130,000. For a federation…
Bukayo Saka has signed a new landmark Arsenal contract, making him the club’s highest earner with £ 300,000, and the English winger has to do more to get the club over the line in their quest for a first league title in over a decade. Clearly the biggest talent in the club’s attack, the 24-year-old hasn’t really gotten into his groove this season, having just seven goal contributions to show for his over 20 league appearances, despite the club’s heavy investment to upgrade his surroundings during the summer. Saka has come a long way to become the most popular figure…