OLT SPORTS

Give them the sense of belonging and be sincere with them. Every player needs that. Arsenal afforded him that towards the later stages of the last season and they saw what he can do. Then Mikel Arteta took the backward step, and Arsenal might in the end have greater regrets over the Nicolas Pepe saga. Nicolas Pepe getting words from Mikel Arteta in a training session. (Photo Credits: Arsenal.com) It is very easy to think Nicolas Pepe is a waste for Arsenal, because his best moments have been minimal and short-lived. But could his surroundings actually do more to help a struggling player ? The most expensive player in the club’s history, surely whatever is required to succeed in the spotlight, the former Lille man has it in his arsenal. However, the manager has shown he has no trust in the Ivorian, not even when he is desperately needed in games. Mikel Arteta might claim the Gunners have a Bukayo Saka who has shown in recent years to be up to the task but not even the English youngster

Last gameweek saw eight home teams pick up wins while only two traveling teams, Rivers United FC away to Niger Tornados and Enugu Rangers FC away to Kwara United, were able to earn a point apiece away from home. Gameweek 6 fixtures in the NPFL. Photo Credits: Facebook/ League Management Company . However, with a host of the highflyers playing away from home this weekend, there might be much more joy for visiting teams across the country in the Nigeria Professional Football League as we take a look into the upcoming matches this weekend. Akwa United vs Katsina United Katsina United last time out needed a Dauda Makadi’s brace secure a come from behind win at home to Gombe United, a win which is only their second of the league this season. Despite playing three times at home, they have just six points and all have been earned at home. That is not a positive for them heading into the Saturday clash with defending Champions Akwa United, who have a good record at home with two wins from thei

The Arsenal Women have completed the signing of Swedish striker Stina Blackstenius from BK Hacken. Arsenal flag pictured. Photo Credits: Pinterest. The 25year old scored 17 goals to help her side finish second in the just concluded Damallsvenskan league season. Stina Blackstenius joins the Arsenal Women from BK Hacken. Photo Credits: Twitter/ Arsenal Women. She joins to strengthen an Arsenal attack that already comprise the likes of Vivianne Miedema, Beth Mead and others as they continue their push for the league and other competitions this season. Author: Kehinde Hassan Afolabi

Arsenal have kept a clean sheet away to Liverpool for the first time in almost 10years after the Mikel Arteta side held on for a goalless draw in the first leg of their Carabao Cup Semi final double-header played at the Anfield Stadium on Thursday evening. Arsenal have kept a clean sheet at the Anfield Stadium for the first time in 10 years. (Photo by David Price/Arsenal FC via Getty Images) The Gunners, who had never kept a clean sheet at the Liverpool ground since a 2-0 win over the then managed Brendan Rodgers Liverpool in a Premier League meeting in Merseyside, with goals from Lukas Podolski and Santi Cazorla giving Arsene Wenger side all three points. Since then, Arsenal had visited Anfield ten times without being scratched but yesterday, despite having to play over 70 minutes with 10men, The Gunners held on for what seemed to be impossible. Granit Xhaka was given his marching orders after catching Diogo Jota with a high boot to the chest in the 24th minute of the clash. From then

Arsenal have maybe identified the right player for their rebuild project in Palmeiras youngster Danilo, who is touted to be a long-term replacement for their Swiss midfielder Granit Xhaka. Palmeiras Midfielder Danilo is seriously linked with Arsenal. Photo Credits: Getty. The 20year old is of the right age with the current Arsenal setup and Mikel Arteta is looking to pursue his interest in the Brazilian this month, to fill in the void left by Thomas Partey, who is on international duty with Ghana at the Africa Cup of Nations. Danilo, a left footed defensive midfielder made his senior debut in 2018 with PFC Cajazeiras before moving to Palmeiras on an initial loan which was later made permanent. He was first played with the Under-20s but his fast development saw him fast tracked into the first team in 2020. So far, he is becoming a regular in the Palmeiras first team with 22 appearances in the Brazil - Serie A last season and Arsenal are looking to lure him to England in a €20m move. Mul

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta while responding to questions in his most recent interview ahead of the club’s Emirates FA Cup clash with Nottingham Forest on Sunday has state his thoughts on one of the most talked about transfer this summer. Mikel Arteta says the Gunners will make signings if the opportunity arises (Image: GETTY) Serbian striker Dusan Vlahovic has been linked with a move to Arsenal with a host of august news outlet confirming The Gunners’ interest in the Fiorentina man. When asked if signing Vlahovic will be an idea big money move for him this month, the Spanish manager replied; “I think with the amount of things and the way we want to evolve the squad we have to maximise every window in every way. We are already, Edu and his team are working very hard because we know exactly what we need to do. Whether we can accomplish that in January or the summer is a different question related to other stuff. But we are there.” He continued by saying, “Again if it's the right pl

Actions resume in Stadia across the country on Sunday as the Nigerian Professional Football League, NPFL enters matchday five. We take a look at the fixtures and the interesting battles to look forward to in actions within the country. The Nigeria Professional Football League Matchday Five preview. Niger Tornados vs Rivers United Rivers United, the side who finished ninth in the last campaign are currently in second place, tied on the same number of points as the leaders, Remo Stars and also maintaining an unbeaten start to the season. The Port Harcourt based side have enjoyed promising start under the tutelage of their new manager Fatai Osho and with the positives around the club, they will hope to get a result away from home this weekend against who have not win since their narrow home win in the opening weekend to Plateau United. The host have lost two and drawn one of their last three games and coming up against a side who have not concede since the opening weekend and in great for

Actions resume in Stadia across the country on Sunday as the Nigerian Professional Football League, NPFL reaches matchday five. On Sunday, Shootings Stars of Ibadan travel to Eastern part of the country to take on the Peoples’ Elephant Enyimba of Aba. Enyimba pose for a team photo before kickoff of a NPFL game. Photo Credits: Facebook/ Enyimba FC. Looking to go one better than their second place finish in the league last season, the eight times Nigerian Champions, Enyimba have had a mixed start to the current campaign. Despite making a promising start to the season with two wins from their first two games, The People’s Elephants, Enyimba of Aba have endured a tough spell in the last two gameweeks, losing home and away to Rivers United and Kano Pillars respectively. However, the pressure is now building on coach Finidi George to deliver a win and ease nerves and calm the pressure on the team. The return of captain Austin Oladapo, who was given a six months ban for failing a doping test

Actions resume in Stadia across the country on Saturday as the Nigerian Professional Football League, NPFL reaches matchday five. There have been few surprises so far with newly promoted Remo Stars occupying the top spot whilst remaining unbeaten. Remo Stars players celebrates Samuel Anakwe’s goal against Dakkada FC. Photo Credits: Facebook/ Remo Stars Football Club. The side led by coach Gbenga Ogunbode have been quite impressive so far with two wins and as many draws leaving them on eight points. They have also been very consistent and organized defensively, a prowess which has seen them with the best defensive record so far in the league. It took their goalkeeper, Kayode Bankole until the last matchday in the trip away to Dakkada FC to concede for the first time this season, when he was beaten by a Muritala Lawal effort in the 12th minute of the encounter. On that evening, the team showed great resilient to snatch a priceless point away from home with Samuel Anakwe restoring parity

In the wake of Philippe Coutinho’s move to Aston Villa to joined a team managed by his ex-teammate, we take a look at the long list of top players who have served and still serving under their former teammates. Diego Simeone and Fernando Torres representing Atletico Madrid. Photo Credits: Getty. Sergio Ramos under Zinedine Zidane Former Real Madrid captain Sergio Ramos was managed by ex-teammate Zinedine Zidane at Real Madrid after the duo play alongside each other for the club in the 2005-06 season. Spanish defender Ramos arrived at Real Madrid from Sevilla in what was Zidan’s final season at the club. It was at the end of that season that the French midfielder announced his retirement from the game. Sergio Ramos played under Zinedine Zidane at Real Madrid. (Soccrates Images/Getty Images) He returned to manage the club for two stints, one between 2016 to 2018 and another from 2019 t 2021 and he was able to manage his former teammate, Ramos. Cristiano Ronaldo under Ole Gunnar Solskjaer

Steven Gerrard has finally succeeded in his quest to bring former teammate Philippe Coutinho to Aston Villa and play under him in a move to help the Brazilian rejuvenate his dying career and strengthen his Villa side. Philippe Coutinho joins Aston Villa on loan for the season remainder from Barcelona. Photo Credits: Getty. Brazilian, who left Premier League club Liverpool in a big money move to Barcelona back in January 2018 has endured difficulties with the Spanish side. His only joy in club football came when he spent the 2019-20 season on loan with Bayern Munich. He has since return to his parent club to continue his nightmare spell. The move to Aston Villa for six months will help the Brazilian return to his best as earlier mentioned by Steven Gerrard, who is also looking to improve his side with the abilities and technicality of the 29year old. Coutinho has made just five starts for Barcelona this season and will be looking to make better impact at the Villa Park to help himself e

 Brazilian, who left Premier League club Liverpool in a big money move to Barcelona back in January 2018 has endured difficulties with the Spanish side. His only joy in club football came when he spent the 2019-20 season on loan with Bayern Munich. He has since return to his parent club to continue his nightmare spell. The move to Aston Villa for six months will help the Brazilian return to his best as earlier mentioned by Steven Gerrard, who is also looking to improve his side with the abilities and technicality of the 29year old. Coutinho has made just five starts for Barcelona this season and will be looking to make better impact at the Villa Park to help himself earn a place in the Brazil squad for the World Cup later this year.

Liverpool are edging closer to finalising a £60million deal for Colombian midfielder Luis Diaz from Portuguese side, Porto. Luis Diaz close to a move to the Premier League with Liverpool. (Photo by MIGUEL RIOPA/AFP via Getty Images) The midfielder, on the back of a successful Copa America where he finished joint top scorer alongside Lionel Messi has been in a red-hot form for Porto, scoring 12 goals in 15 league appearances so far. Manchester United have also been linked with the former Junior FC player but it is Jürgen Klopp’s Reds who are now close to sealing a deal for the 24year old. Author: Kehinde Hassan Afolabi

Greek star Stefanos Tsitsipas has respond to the claim of German superstars, Alexander Zverev that Novak Djokovic, Daniil Medvedev and himself (Alexander Zverev) are the big three in the

Romelu Lukaku will remain at Chelsea amidst the uncertainty surrounding his future at the club due to the revelation of his controversial interview with Sky in Italy last month. Thomas Tuchel has chosen to let Lukaku back into the group after suspension against Liverpool. Photo Credits: Getty . The player was translated to have said a lot of needless words which costed him a place in the squad when Chelsea welcome Liverpool to the Stamford Bridge in the weekend. Following a clear-the-air talk with manager Thomas Tuchel, the club has now reached a decision that the player will remain at the club this month, the summer and beyond. Romelu Lukaku in action for Chelsea in a Premier League game. Photo Credits: Getty According to reports, the player has admitted to his guilt, saying the interview was a mistake and Chelsea are convinced the transfer of the player away from the club was never an option. Chelsea are also believed to be considering Lukaku to pay a fine €500,000 as one of the cons

The Super Eagles of Nigeria trained for the second time on Monday as they continue preparations for the continental showpiece coming starting later this month in Cameroun. Chidozie Awaziem trained separately due to a knock. The Nigeiran representative, trained at the Moshood Abiola Stadium in Abuja, the country’s capital despite some members of the invited players yet to arrive to the camp. Interim boss, Austin Eguavoen oversaw the session with 13 players while defender Chidozie Awaziem trained separately due to a knock he picked up in the first training session. Reports also has it that Leganes defender Kenneth Omeruo has tested positive for Covid which was why he was not in the squad when his club played against Real Valladolid. Time is running out of the Eagles as they play their first game of the tournament on the 11th against Egypt. Author: Kehinde Hassan Afolabi

Chelsea since the 2020 summer have made good progress in their transfer businesses but maybe too focused on incomings and outgoings that they have failed where it really matters. Stalled contract talks for defenders a real headache for Chelsea. (Credit: Andy Hooper-The Daily Mail) The Blues last summer in that time had secured the services of Hakim Ziyech, Kai Havertz, Timo Werner, Edouard Mendy, Ben Chilwell, Thiago Silva and Romelu Lukaku, all top signings that every club dreams of having altogether in their squad. However, the blues have in the process forgotten to start contract talks earlier, with players like Antonio Rudiger, Cesar Azpilicueta and Andreas Christensen now having just six months left on their current contract. To their displeasure, these players are now being monitored by European heavyweights, making it even more difficult for Chelsea to reach a neutral ground with them in their bid to have them sign a new deal. Chelsea defender Antonio Rudiger is strongly linked

Southampton Midfielder Samuel McQueen has been forced to retire from football at the age of 26 after rupturing his ACL in his right knee in 2018 while playing for Middlesbrough against Crystal Palace. Image of the Southampton stadium, Saint Marys’ Park The recurring infection meant that he required additional surgeries and the player, who made his senior debut in 2014 has not played since then. Sam McQueen has called time on his playing career. (Jordan Mansfield/Getty Images Sport) Southampton manager Ralph Hasenhüttl had said in 2021 that it will be a miracle for the player to ever return to playing again and player, on the first day of 2022 has now announced his early retirement from the game. Sam McQueen has was a product of the Southampton Academy. Photo Credits: Facebook/ Southampton FC The English man, who had been with Southampton since the age of eight spent time on loan at Southend United and Middlesbrough, making 54 professional appearances and scored three goals in his four

Top clubs in Europe will be out there in January with the aim of strengthening their squad as competitions continue to get tougher in different leagues and in the two or three European club competitions. We take a look that the players who will be perfect for each of the top teams in the month. Arsenal - Bruno Guimarães of Olympic Lyon The Brazilian has been linked with a move to the club and age 24, the midfielder is the perfect fit for a young squad given the current options for Mikel Arteta are much older, and with Thomas Partey is leaving for the AFCON, Guimarães’ best time to become a Gunner might be this month. Atletico Madrid - Nathan Ake of Manchester City It is obvious Ake is too low in the pecking order at City and a couple of league appearances he has this season are thanks to injury to their fullbacks, whereas he is a central defender but featured most times as a fullback. Atletico are also shortage of players in this position or maybe parade too many mediocrity. Ake, who w