SPORTS

Arsenal’s 3-0 loss to Crystal Palace underlines Arsene Wenger’s decline

Published

7 years ago

April 11, 2017

Arsenal will make the top four because they always do. That’s the theory that’s done the rounds. But it’s bunkum. It requires a logic that relies upon the sort of wilful disregard for recent evidence that would surely find a receptive audience within the club’s boardroom.

Arsenal’s 3-0 defeat at Crystal Palace was emphatic from the sluggish start to the insipid finish. “A humiliation,” said former striker Alan Smith, and a fourth straight reverse away from home, the first time that has happened in Arsene Wenger’s 21-year reign.

“To lose four on the bounce at a club the size of Arsenal is not really acceptable,” said Jamie Carragher beforehand. He’s right, of course, and there will be plenty of frustrated fans who agree. But acceptance is the overwhelming characteristic of this Arsenal team.

“They were sharper in the duels,” Wenger told Sky Sports afterwards and, remarkably, his captain Theo Walcott seemed to suggest that the players were instantly aware that they were outmatched. “They just wanted it more,” he said. “You could sense that from the kick-off.”

There could be long trips ahead then, but even the short one to Selhurst Park was too much for them on Monday. The team bus was delayed and not for the first time in 2017 the players delivered a performance to match – late to arrive and slow to start.

That too is now familiar. Former Tottenham winger Andros Townsend’s 17th-minute goal was the sixth time in 12 Premier League games this year that Arsenal have been behind inside the first 20 minutes of the match.

Palace joined Bournemouth, Watford, Chelsea, Liverpool and Manchester City on the list of teams to do that and became the first side currently in the bottom half to beat Arsenal this season. Their players are finding new ways to make this worse.
“You’re not fit to wear the shirt,” was the chant.
It was hard to disagree as everywhere on the pitch players were exposed as not being up to the challenge. A third-choice goalkeeper might be expected to struggle and supporters have long since given up on the idea that Gabriel Paulista can be a solution in defence.

But what about the Brazilian’s centre-back partner Shkodran Mustafi? The £35m man could not cope with the strength of Christian Benteke or the trickery of Wilfried Zaha. The defence was bullied but more worryingly than that, they appeared cowed by the experience.

SPORTS

Nigeria Vs South Africa: When And Where To Watch World Cup Qualifying Match

Published

4 days ago

June 7, 2024

Reporter

When & where to watch Nigeria vs South Africa match | fab.ng

The Nigerian national football team, nicknamed the Super Eagles, are facing off against South Africa in a World Cup qualifier match. This important game is happening in Nigeria, and the Super Eagles are looking to take the top spot in their group.

This isn’t the first time these two teams have met recently. Earlier this year, Nigeria beat South Africa on penalties during the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) semifinal, although they ultimately lost the final to Ivory Coast. The Super Eagles are hoping to repeat their success against South Africa and continue their journey towards qualifying for the 2026 World Cup.

Super Eagles match preview

The Super Eagles are gearing up for a crucial World Cup qualifier match against South Africa. Things are a bit tight for the Super Eagles. They’ve drawn their first two games against Lesotho and Zimbabwe, leaving them sitting in third place in their World Cup qualifying group.

Unfortunately, the team will be without their star player, Victor Osimhen, due to a recent injury that will sideline him for four weeks.

The Super Eagles have a new leader on the pitch: coach Finidi George. He’ll be looking to guide the team to victory despite the absence of Osimhen. Victor Boniface, who missed the recent Africa Cup of Nations due to injury, is back and ready to contribute.

A win against South Africa is crucial for the Super Eagles. It would put them at the top of their group (Group C) going into their next match against Benin Republic.

South Africa match preview

South Africa, nicknamed the Bafana Bafana, are coming into this match with the Super Eagles looking to settle an old score. Remember how Nigeria knocked them out of the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations on penalties? South Africa wants revenge!

Currently, South Africa sits just above Nigeria in second place in Group C for World Cup qualifiers. They won their first game against the Benin Republic but then lost their second match to Rwanda.

Their star player, Percy Tau, is someone to watch out for. If he’s in top form, it could spell trouble for the Super Eagles. A victory for South Africa would be huge. They’d jump to the top of the group and widen the gap between themselves and Nigeria to a comfortable four points.

Nigeria vs South Africa

Over the past 14 encounters, Nigeria has clearly dominated South Africa. They’ve won seven games, drawn five, and only lost twice to their rivals.

Things haven’t been going South Africa’s way in recent meetings. They haven’t beaten Nigeria in their last three tries, including a draw at the recent Africa Cup of Nations.

This match is a chance for both teams to write a new chapter. The Super Eagles will be aiming to extend their winning streak, while South Africa is desperate to finally break free from their losing run.

Time and place for the match

The Super Eagles are set to take on South Africa in a crucial World Cup qualifier match. Here’s what you need to know:

Where: The match will be held at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium in Nigeria.
When: The game is scheduled for Friday, June 7th, 2024.
Time: Kick-off is set for 8:00 pm Nigerian time.
How to Watch: If you’re in Nigeria, you can catch the game live on DSTV. The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) will also be streaming the match on their official YouTube channel, so you can watch it online too!

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SPORTS

Victor Osimhen May Consider Saudi Arabia Move

Published

2 weeks ago

May 28, 2024

Reporter

Victor Osimhen May Consider Saudi Arabia Move | Fab.ng

There’s a rumour swirling around Nigerian striker Victor Osimhen. It’s a tale of past success, present uncertainty, and a hefty price tag. Osimhen’s chapter at Napoli could be coming to a close. Their final game of the season ended in a disappointing draw, and rumours are swirling that the striker might be looking for new pastures.

Victor Osimhen, shining star, then a bump in the road

Osimhen has undeniably been a bright spot for Napoli. He played a key role in their 2022/23 Serie A championship win, even claiming the top scorer title that season. However, this past season wasn’t Napoli’s strongest, and Osimhen’s goal tally dipped to 15. Despite this, his talent hasn’t gone unnoticed.

A shopping list of seekers for Victor Osimhen

Victor Osimhen remains a hot asset, attracting interest from some of Europe’s biggest clubs. Arsenal, Paris Saint-Germain, Manchester United, and Liverpool have all reportedly expressed their desire to sign the striker.

The Premier League dream, or a lucrative detour?

According to Italian journalist Valter De Maggio, Osimhen’s ideal destination seems to be the Premier League, with Arsenal topping his list. However, his transfer fee is a staggering €130 million, which might make the Gunners hesitate. If a move to England falls through, De Maggio suggests Osimhen might be swayed by the financial muscle of clubs in the Middle East, particularly those in Saudi Arabia.

National team duty and a decision to be made

With the club season wrapped up, Osimhen is currently enjoying a well-deserved break. He’ll soon be rejoining the Nigerian national team for their upcoming World Cup qualifiers. But before he steps onto the international stage again, a big decision looms – will he become an Arsenal player, or will his talents be showcased elsewhere? Only time will tell what Osimhen’s future holds.

For more sports updates, check out this page.

SPORTS

Ronaldo Breaks Saudi Pro League Scoring Record

Published

2 weeks ago

May 28, 2024

Reporter

Ronaldo breaks Saudi Pro League scoring record | Fab.ng

In his final game of the season, playing for his team, Al Nassr, Cristiano Ronaldo scored two goals. These goals weren’t just any goals though! They were his 34th and 35th of the season, which achieved something remarkable.

By scoring these two goals, Ronaldo became the league’s top scorer for the entire season, breaking the previous record!

“I don’t follow the records, the records follow me,” the 39-year-old Portuguese forward tweeted afterwards.

I don’t follow the records, the records follow me. 🇸🇦 pic.twitter.com/rqywmmTfZD

— Cristiano Ronaldo (@Cristiano) May 27, 2024

Cristiano Ronaldo had a big night during his final game of the season for his team Al Nassr. He scored two goals. The first one came very late in the first half, just as extra time was being added on. The second one was a powerful header in the 69th minute. These two goals helped Al Nassr win the game 4-2 against Al Ittihad.

But that’s not all!

Ronaldo’s goals were even more special because they made him the league’s top scorer for the entire season. He scored a record-breaking 35 goals, beating the old record of 34 goals which was set by a player named Abderrazak Hamdallah in the 2018-19 season.

This achievement is even more impressive because Ronaldo’s team, Al Nassr, actually finished second place in the league. The champions were Al Hilal, who were far ahead with a 14-point lead.

Ronaldo joined Al Nassr in December of last year, which was the start of a trend where many famous players from other countries came to the Saudi league to play for a lot of money.

Despite playing in a new league, Ronaldo is still a star on the international stage. He was recently chosen to play for Portugal in the European Championship which will be held in Germany next month.

This will be his 11th international tournament, an incredible feat! He also holds the record for most appearances and goals scored in men’s international football, with a whopping 206 appearances and 128 goals.

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