SPORTS - Nigerian star signs professional contract with Arsenal

Nigerian youngster James Olayinka has signed his first professional contract with Premier League giants Arsenal as the club announced.

The 18-year-old midfielder became a key player for our under-18s side last season, and since then he’s stepped up to feature prominently for our under-23s and he hopes to follow the footstep Alex Iwobi and Bukayo Saka into the first team squad.

Olayinka has been with Gunners since 11-year-old reacts after penning the new contract as he told ther Arsenal.com : "It is a great feeling. I have been here for about 11 or 12 years now, so to finally get to this stage is a dream come true.
''It is a proud moment for me and my family''.

"Yeah, it’s been a long journey and there’s been ups and down, but to get to this stage is a testament to the hard work. I’m happy that the club have rewarded me with a contract.
Olayinka was a member of Arsenal U18 squad that faced Chelsea in the final of last season's FA Youth Cup and he has he has featured in the Premier League 2, EFL Trophy, U18 Premier League and FA Youth Cup this term.


Via Fcnaija

SPORTS - Arsenal set to hijack Man Utd & AC Milan transfer target

Arsenal set to hijack Manchester United and AC Milan transfer target Yannick Carrasco, according to a report in Italy.

The 25-year-old Belgium international made a shock move to the Chinese Super League last year from Atletico Madrid and is reportedly already seeking a move back to Europe and cutting short his spell at club side Dalian Yifang.

According to Sky Sport Italia claim that Arsenalarenow the side in pole position to bring Carrasco tonorth London club having made initial contacts overa possible deal with former Monaco star preferredto move to Emirates Stadium despite interest fromManchester United and AC Milan.Carrasco’s former Monaco boss Leonardo Jardim is expected to take over at Dalian and may eventually convince his pupil to stay.

Carrasco, who is under contract until 2021 with Dalian Yifang and he featured 31 times for the third place in 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia five goals to his name.

NAIJA PLAYERS - Nigerian youngster reacts after making EPL debut for Arsenal

Nigerian younster Bukayo Saka has reacted after making his Premier League debut for Arsenal in their 4-1 win over Fulham on Tuesday evening at Emirate Stadium.

The 17-year-old came off the substitutes bench to replace his fellow countryman Alex Iwobi in the 83rd minutes in Premier League encounter at Emirate Stadium and he becomes the first player born in 2001 to make an appearance in the top flight.

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Bukayo told the club official website Arsenal.com. "Right now I’m feeling so happy.

"I feel blessed to have made my debut and get minutes on the pitch. I just want to thank my family, my friends and everyone at the club who’s helped me to get to this stage.”

"It’s been a tough stage, a long stage, but through hard work and determination I managed to get here.”

"I’m not stopping now. I’m very hungry. I just want to work hard with every chance I get.”

"In training, I just want to impress the coach so I can get back on the pitch.”

Saka had previously made two appearances for Gunners in the Europa League late last year and has represented England at youth level where he currently plays for the Under-19s.

Arsenal Striker, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang celebrates Arsenal win with £1million Ferrari 'LaFerrari'

Gabonese striker,Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang who scored two goals in Arsenal 3 - 1 win against Leicester Cityon Monday night is celebrating the big with a new red Ferrari 'LaFerrari' worth £1million.

The Arsenal striker took to his Instagram page share a photo of himself posing with the expensive sports car.

SPORTS - Alex Iwobi reaches Arsenal milestone in 3-1 win over West Ham

Alex Iwobi reaches Arsenal milestone in London derby in a 3-1 victory over West Ham at Emirate Stadium on Saturday afternoon.

The 22-year-old Hale End Academy graduate who started in the encounter with goals from Nacho Monreal, own goal Issa Diop and Danny Welbeck sees first three-point for new coach Unai Emery.

Iwobi 99 games so far Gunners shirt in the 3-2 loss to Chelsea last week at Stamford Bridge with 66 in the Premier League, 9 each in the Emirates FA Cup and Champions League, 8 League Cup, 6 Europa League and one match in the Community Shield.

Nigeria international has make 6,077 minutes in the 99 matches, an average of 61.38 minutes per game, and has been directly involved in 18 goals (10 goals, 18 assists).
Iwobi first-team debut for Arsenal came in the 2015-16 season in a League Cup match against Sheffield Wednesday.

Nigeria Striker, Alex Iwobi goal in vain as Arsenal flop again

Nigerian striker Alex vies with Chelsea’s Spanish defender Cesar Azpilicueta duringthe English Premier League football match between Chelsea and Arsenal at Stamford Bridge in London on August 18, 2018.

PIERRE-EMERICK AUBAMEYANG (Arsenal)Iwobi endured a dismal afternoon at Stamford Bridge as his misses contributed to Arsenal’s defeat. After Arsenal battled back to 2-2 from two goals down, RIYAD MAHREZ (Manchester City)Algeria winger made his home debut for the Premier League champions in their demolition of Huddersfield.

Mahrez arrivedfrom Leicester in a £60 million (67 million euros, $76.5 million) move in the close season and made his first appearance in the Community Shield win over Chelsea at WembleyWAKASO/PATRICK TWUMASI (Alaves)Ghana internationals Wakaso and Twumasi were both in the squad for Alaves’ tricky trip to Barcelona for the La Liga season opener.

Wakaso was part of a four-man midfield as the visitors attempted to snuff out Barcelona’s attacking threat and it worked for over an hour until Lionel Messi inspired a 3-0 win.

SEKO FOFANA (Udinese)Ivorian midfielder Fofana got his first goal of the season, scoring the equaliser as Udinese completed a comeback from two goals down to draw 2-2 at promoted Parma. Fofana, 23, scored four minutes after teammate Rodrigo De Paul had pulled the northeastern side, who narrowly avoided relegation last season,KWADWO ASAMOAH (Inter Milan)Ghana midfielder Asamoah began life as an Inter Milan player with a 1-0 defeat to Sassuolo after six years at Turin giants Juventus.

The 29-year-old had appeals for a spot-kick waved away after being brought down by Francesco Magnanelli.Boateng thought he had made it 2-0 for the side from Modena after 65 minutes but his effort bounced off the post.

FranceDENIS BOUANGA (Nimes)The Le Mans-born Gabon winger scored his first goal for Nimes since arriving from Lorient last month and the first for his new employers in the top flight at home since 1993 in the 3-1 defeat of Marseille

SPORTS: Arsenal target agrees Roma deal

Arsenal target and Sevilla midfielder Steven N’Zonzi has reportedly agreed on a four-year contract with Serie A giants Roma.
The 29-year-old France international has been constantly linked with a move to Emirate Stadium since the new Gunners boss Unia Emery take over from Arsene Wenger.

According to Gazzetta dello Sport, N’Zonzi will receive €3.5m a season at Roma, taking the World Cup winner through until 2022.
However, there is no mention in the newspaper’s report of a deal being agreed between the two clubs.

N’Zonzi has a €40m release clause in his Sevilla contract, while it had previously been claimed that Maxime Gonalons would have to be sold first.

Fcnaija

THIERRY HENRY - Arsenal legend holds talks to coach Salah?

Arsenal legend Thierry Henry has reportedly held talks to become the new coach of Mohamed Salah in the Egyptian national football team.
The 40-year-old ex-France international was an assistant to Belgium boss Roberto Martinez at the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia, helping the Red Devils t to third-place – their best ever finish in the country history.

Former goalkeeper Nader El-Sayed, now a player agent, claims to have met with Henry's agent to discuss the potential appointment by Egyptian Football Association.
El-Sayed told a local radio station: "We had a meeting with Thierry Henry's agent in London.
"Henry is waiting [to hear about] the EFA's project for the team before deciding on the offer, apart from the economic aspect.

"The Mexican coach (Juan Carlos Osorio) was one of the candidates, however, the EFA haven't contacted me over him."

Henry recently departed his role as a television pundit for Sky Sports in order to focus on his coaching career and last month was linked with replacing Steve Bruce at Aston Villa.

CHUBA AKPOM - Arsenal FC set to offload Nigerian-born striker

Arsenal are poised to offload Nigerian-born striker Chuba Akpom from their books as it is understood that the player is close to joining Sint-Truiden in a £2million permanent deal.
The striker progressed through the Arsenal ranks but has been unable to establish himself in the first-team fold at the Emirates.
Akpom has spent a series of spells out on loan and spent the second half of last campaign with the Belgian side, scoring six times in 16 games.

The 22-year-old is in the final 12 months of his deal in north London and the Gunners look set to cash in, with a number of clubs in Belgium and France showing an interest in his services, according to the Independent.

Akpom who has made just 12 first-team appearances for Arsenal is very eligible to play for Nigeria and he showed interest playing an unofficial friendly for the Super Eagles.

Fcnaija

SPORTS - Chelsea as been given chance to re-sign Peter Cech from Arsenal

Chelsea could re-sign Peter Cech this summer if Thibaut Courtois leaves for Real Madrid, reports in England have claimed.

Courtois looks poised to join Real Madrid this summer and the Blues are already bracing themselves by looking for alternatives, with Kasper Schmeichel and Gianluigi Donnarumma in their view, but have been offered the chance to have Cech again.

Arsenal are open to selling Cech to provide manager Unai Emery with the funds needed to continue rebuilding his squad.

The veteran goalkeeper has already turned down a move to Napoli to stay at the Emirates and fight for his place with new arrival Bernd Leno.
Emery is still keen to sign Steven N'Zonzi, who won the World Cup with France this summer.

Cech spent 11 seasons at Stamford Bridge, winning the Premier League four times and the Champions League.

via fcnaija

Former Arsenal midfielder, Santi Cazorla ends 636-day injury spell to returns to pitch

Former Arsenal midfielder Santi Cazorla brought 636 days of injury nightmare to an end on Tuesday night as he came off the bench to play for Villarreal in a pre-season game.

The 33-year-old Spain international quit Emirate Stadium in June where he made his last appearance in October 2016 for Gunners in the UEFA Champions League clash against Bulgarian outfit Ludogorets where he suffered a serious Achilles injury, which kept him out of action for 21 months.

Cazorla returned to his boyhood club Villarreal and took a massive step towards resurrecting his football career by playing against Hercules as he came on in the 67th minutes for the Yellow Submarine in their pre-season friendly 1-1 scored draw against Hercules.

He said via his Instagram: "Very happy and happy to get back to doing what I love the most, there is a lot of work ahead of me but this is the first step.

"There is a lot of work ahead of me but it is the first step. Eternally grateful to the people. It has been worth it to get here THANK YOU."
Cazorla bought his six-year spell at Arsenal to an end when his contract expired this summer and he opted to move back to Spain with Villarreal for a third spell with the club that he originally joined as a teenager in 2003.

via Fcnaija

Twitter reacts to Arsenal new signee name - Papastathopoulos

Arsenal announced the signing of a new player Sokratis Papastathopoulos from Borussia Dortmund for a reported fee worth around €19 million on Monday which has caused a plethora of reactions on Twitter.

While some Arsenal fans are excited at the recent addition to the Emirate Stadium, many are concerned with the pronunciation of the player's name which has about 24 letters and seems heavy in the mouth.

Without further ado, below was how football fans reacted to the name:

Checkout Tweets HERE

Arsenal Star Goalkeeper Ospina David Says, Colombia is not afraid of England

Colombia is not afraid of England as they battle each other in the last 16 of the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia according to Arsenal goalkeeper David Ospina.

José Pekerman’s team were inspired by James Rodríguez before being eliminated by the hosts, Brazil, in 2014 as the Los Cafeteros clash with Three Lions
at Spartak Stadium in Moscow on Tuesday.

The 29-year-old Colombia number one stopper is confident England can be beaten to force a passage into the quarter-final of the competition.

"We are a better team than four years ago," Ospina told reporters. "We are together, more experienced and a stronger squad of players than we were in Brazil. "We have experience and good quality. Our players play in the best clubs, the best leagues, and are used to playing in matches of this size, so nothing will frighten us.

"England are a good team, but we did not mind who it was we would face. We just know we will give everything for our country and take strength from the support. "We always give everything for our country. It's such an honour to play for Colombia."

One of the most notable aspects of Colombia's campaign thus far has been their raucous fans and Ospina is certainly aware, with each match feeling like a "home game".

"The support has been incredible," the Arsenal man said. "It's been our inspiration. There are Colombians all over the world but the support here, in Russia, has meant everything to us.
"It shows the passion and belief that we have in our country. It's just amazing how many people have come here to support us.
"It has felt like a home game in every game for us. They make more noise, have more colour and we always have more supporters than the rest.
"It shows how much football means to our country. It's not pressure, it's strength for us."

Russia 2018 - Croatia vs Nigeria: Arsenal gives Super Eagles support to beat Croatia

English Premier League side, Arsenal is supporting the Super Eagles to beat Croatia intheir World Cup Group Dclash at the Kaliningrad Stadium Russia today.

The Gunners have madeit clear that they will be rooting for the Super Eagles on the biggest stage as one of their own, Alex Iwobi, plays for the West Africans.

Iwobi was undoubtedlySuper Eagles’most outstanding player during the six pre-WorldCup friendlies. He is expected to be included in the starting eleven, Daily Post reported.“When you remember your #WorldCup starts today.

Good luck tonight, @alexiwobi

– we’ll be backing you. #CRO v#NGA kicks off at 8pm (UK time) #BIG18 #SoarSuperEagles,”Arsenal wrote on Twitter.

When you remember your#WorldCupstarts TODAY Good luck tonight,@alexiwobi

– we'll be backing you #CROv#NGAkicks off at 8pm (UK time)#BIG18#SoarSuperEagles pic.twitter.com/qI9JuVqRVW

— Arsenal FC (@Arsenal)June 16, 2018

Iwobi turned out for England’s youth teams before he committed hisinternational future to Nigeria in 2015.Ahead of the World Cup match this evening, Captain of Nigeria national team, John Obi Mikel, has finally spokenabout the decision of coach Gernot Rohr to name Francis Uzoho as first choice goalkeeper of the Super Eagles.

Uzoho has played just six games for the Super Eagles and plays as firstchoice keeper for Deportivo La Coruna B team who are in the Spanish third division.Uzoho is the youngest player in Rohr’s team forthe World Cup at the ageof 19 but Mikel believes he has shown enough to prove that he won’t be out of sort if named in the starting line up against Croatia.

Mikel disclosed the qualities that handed Uzoho an edge over other goalkeepers.At a pre match conference organised ahead of today’s game against Croatia in Kaliningrad, Mikel said,“He (Uzoho) is young but the good thing about him is that he isalways calm even under pressure.”Also, Brazil’s president, Michel Temer has expressed his best wishes for Nigeria’s Super Eagles as the team play its first game at Russia 2018 FIFA World Cup.

Temer said this when Nigeria’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mr Geoffrey Onyema, paid him a courtesy visit in Brasilia.

A statement by the Media Aide to Onyema, Ms Sarah Sanda, on Saturday in Abuja, said the minister was on a week working visit to Brazil.

Temer’s support was coming as Nigeria’s Super Eagles kick off their Russia 2018 World Cup campaign on Saturday, with a match against Croatia.

Arsenal FC signs defender Stephan Lichtsteiner from Juventus

Arsenal Football Clubhas announced the signing of veteran full-back Stephan Lichtsteiner on a free transfer from Juventus.

The Switzerland international, 34, becomes the first Gunners signing by UnaiEmery who had recently succeeded Arsene Wenger as manager of the club.
Emery told the club website:‘Stephan brings huge experience and leadership to our squad. He’s a player with great quality witha very positive and determined attitude. Stephan will improve us on and off the pitch.And everyone here at Arsenal Football club welcomes him wholeheartedly.

We cant wait for the new season to kick off andsee how he shows offhis wealth of experience on the pitch’The former Juventus star who has been handed the No 12 jerseyfor Arsenal also posted a message to Twitter saying:

‘Happy and honoured to be a Gunner! Will work hard and passionately day in and day out to achieve our sporting objectives and to win trophies with this great club! Guys let’s do this together’Photos from Arsenal’s London Colney base showed Lichtsteiner who has won the Serie A title in each of his seven seasons with Juventus in his new club kit, and being welcomed byArsenallegend Robert Pires.

[SPORT] Arsenal get new celebrity convert after Kanu's Wenger remark

A Nigerian celebrity has declared his will to support Arsenal following Kanu Nwankwo's tribute to Arsene Wenger upon the Frenchman's exit announcement at the North London club.

Former Arsenal player, Kanu Nwankwo has gone to his social media pages to pen a thoughtful tribute to the 68-year old manager who he played under during his time at the Emirates which caught the attention of Nollywood actor, Alex Ekubo.

"Big shoes for anyone to fill, playing for Arsenal under Arsene was one of the best periods of my career, 2 premiership, 2 FA cups, the invincibles, playing with some of the best-assembled players, influencing millions of fans in Africa to support this great club are some of the memories that come to fore today but above all the privilege to have played for a gentleman like Wenger is most cherished.

#arsenalfc #AFC #Arsenewenger #coyg @arsenal," wrote the former Super Eagles player.

FCNAIJA

Arsenal Star Aaron Ramsey buys most expensive house in Wales

The beautiful five-bedroom mansion in a exclusive suburb of Cardiff was on the market for £4.5m but the midfielder got it for £3.1mThe house in a suburb of Cardiff boasts five luxurious bedrooms But it was named on the Land Registry records as the highest priced house sale in Wales in 2017 –showing it was sold for £3.1m even though it was originally on the market for £4.5m.

His “bargain” purchase of the magnificent five-bedroomed mansion fair oak Farm capped a year to remember for the Wale star after winning the FA Cup.

The Welsh long house overlooking the Bristol Channel in Cardiff’s Lisvane suburb boasts gardens with fountains, a three-hole golf course, tennis court and five-star hotel standard outdoor pool with hot tub and sauna.

But the crowning glory is a helicopter pa which means the 26-year-old is just an hour from Arsenal’s Colney training ground in London.

Chelsea set to battle Man City and Arsenal for a defender -

Chelsea is set to battle Manchester City and Arsenal in the race to sign Burnley defender James Tarkowski after losing Virgil van Dijk to Liverpool, according to reports in England.

Pep Guardiola has set sight on the defender as he wants to make some adjustment to the centre back position but he faces competition forthe services of the defender, according to The Times.

Antonio Conte is impressed with the performance of the former Brentford defender, Tarkowski forms a formidable partnership with Ben Meeat the centre-half position and boasting of the fourth defensive record in the Premier League.
Tarkowski is serving a three-match ban after being charged for violent conduct in the draw against Brighton.

Conte turned to the defender after his plans to sign Van Dijk was doomed by Liverpool who agreed on a £75m deal to sign the centre-half.

Chelsea is already planning a team with veteran David Luiz whose futureis in doubt at the Stamford Bridge after falling out with the Conte.

Check out what this Arsenal fan sayshe would do if Dangote buys Arsenal and sacks Wenger

So, this staunch UK Arsenal fan sayshe would wear a traditional Nigeria dress to every Arsenal games if Dangotebuys Arsenal and sack Arsene Wenger.

Recall that Africa’s Richest man Dangote wants to buy Arsenal and has declared the ‘first thing’ he would do is sack Arsene Wenger.