Author: Gabby

Former Aston Villa striker Gabriel Agbonlahor has doubled down on his prediction that Arsenal will clinch the Premier League title, even if they stumble against West Ham this weekend. Speaking on talkSPORT, the ex-England international argued that Manchester City‘s recent struggles signal more dropped points ahead.

City were held to a dramatic 3-3 draw at Everton on Monday, needing a last-gasp equalizer from Jeremy Doku to salvage a point. Agbonlahor believes this result exposes vulnerabilities in Pep Guardiola’s side, who face a tough run-in against Crystal Palace, Brentford, and Aston Villa. “If it finished with an Everton win, I would have said it’s over,” he admitted. “But Doku’s goal changed the complexion.”

Looking ahead to Arsenal’s clash with West Ham, Agbonlahor warned that the Hammers could make life difficult for Mikel Arteta’s men. “This is one of the biggest games of West Ham‘s last 10 years,” he said. “They can turn up and force a draw. There is no reason why West Ham can‘t get a result.” However, he maintained that a draw would keep the title race alive, insisting: “If they draw this weekend, it’s back on.”

Agbonlahor pointed to City’s remaining fixtures as reason for optimism. “I still think Man City will throw away more points,” he stated. “They’ve got Crystal Palace, Brentford (who are fighting for European football at home), Aston Villa, and Bournemouth—Iraola’s last home game.” The pundit concluded that Arsenal‘s consistency and City’s tendency to slip up will ultimately hand the trophy to the Gunners.

Newcastle United legend Alan Shearer has thrown his weight behind Arsenal, claiming the Gunners have what it takes to clinch both the Premier League and Champions League titles this season. Speaking on The Rest Is Football podcast, Shearer expressed confidence in Mikel Arteta’s squad ahead of their crucial Champions League semi-final second leg against Atletico Madrid.

Shearer emphasized that Arsenal are just five matches away from achieving legendary status at the club. ‘Mikel Arteta and his Arsenal players now are five games away from being legends of that football club forever,’ he stated. ‘They can win the Champions League and win the Premier League. Win three in the Premier League, and they are done and win two in the Champions League.’

The former striker insisted that Arteta’s side is capable of winning all remaining fixtures in both competitions, underscoring their potential to make history this campaign.

Arsenal icon Paul Merson has voiced serious concerns about Chelsea’s trajectory following their 3-1 home defeat against Nottingham Forest in the Premier League on Monday night. The former Gunners star believes the Blues’ slump could see them overtaken by several mid-table rivals in the final standings.

In his analysis on Sky Sports, Merson painted a grim picture for Chelsea, suggesting they might not even surpass the likes of Everton or Fulham if their current form persists. “They’ve now lost six league matches in a row. At this rate, they may end up behind Brentford, Brighton, and Bournemouth, and possibly even Everton and Fulham,” Merson stated.

Merson added, “I’m genuinely worried about Chelsea. Where will they be next season?” The west London club currently sits ninth in the Premier League table with 48 points from 35 games, level on points with tenth-placed Everton and eleventh-placed Fulham, though they hold a superior goal difference.

The defeat to Nottingham Forest extended Chelsea’s winless run, raising further doubts about the club’s direction under current management.

Eric Chelle, the head coach of Nigeria’s Super Eagles, took time to observe the Nigeria Premier Football League action on Tuesday, watching Ikorodu City secure an emphatic 3-1 victory over Wikki Tourists at the Mobolaji Johnson Arena in Onikan, Lagos.

The home side delivered a stunning first-half performance, netting three times to seize control of the match. Salami Farouk, Abayomi Ayodeji, and Joseph Arumala were the scorers for the ‘Oga Boys’, showcasing their attacking prowess.

Wikki Tourists managed to pull one back in the 65th minute through their reliable striker Jonathan Mairiga, but it was not enough to spark a comeback. The result leaves Ikorodu City in third place on the league standings, with just two matches remaining in the season, keeping their hopes of continental qualification alive.

For Wikki Tourists, who languish in 19th position, the situation is dire. They must win their final two fixtures to have any realistic chance of avoiding relegation from the top flight.

Manchester United midfielder Casemiro has expressed his frustration over the constant speculation surrounding Neymar’s participation in the 2026 World Cup. The Brazilian international made it clear that the ongoing discussion about whether the Santos forward will represent his country is tiresome.

Speaking with ESPN, Casemiro emphasized that Neymar has nothing left to prove on the football pitch. The 34-year-old has already established himself as one of the world’s best players, and his talent should not be up for debate. According to Casemiro, the only thing standing between Neymar and a spot in Brazil’s squad for the upcoming tournament is his physical condition.

“It gets on my nerves when people keep asking about Neymar,” Casemiro admitted. “I’ve known him since we were 12 years old on the pitch, and the constant questioning is exhausting. The reality is straightforward: Neymar doesn’t need to justify his ability to anyone. Coach Ancelotti and everyone involved have made it obvious that it all comes down to his fitness. His skill is beyond question.”

Brazil is set to face Morocco, Haiti, and Scotland in Group C when the World Cup kicks off next month. The team will be hoping to have a fully fit Neymar available to lead their attack as they pursue a sixth world title.

Shooting Stars forward Lucky Emmanuel believes his brace against Nasarawa United will restore his self-belief as the Nigeria Premier Football League season approaches its conclusion.

Emmanuel found the net twice in Shooting Stars’ 3-2 triumph over Nasarawa United at Lekan Salami Stadium in Ibadan on Sunday, bringing his season tally to five goals.

“Scoring against Nasarawa United will help me regain my confidence,” Emmanuel told 3SCfanstv. “I hadn’t scored in a while, so this is a big boost for me as we head into the final phase of the campaign.”

He added: “We desperately needed those goals, and I feel honored to have contributed to the team’s success in pursuit of our season goals.”

The striker expressed optimism about adding to his goal count when Shooting Stars host Barau FC in their next fixture in Ibadan. “I am confident I will get on the scoresheet again against Barau FC,” he stated.

Two Premier League legends have offered contrasting opinions on who should be crowned the PFA Player of the Season. Former Manchester United shot-stopper Peter Schmeichel and ex-Arsenal winger Freddie Ljungberg shared their selections during a recent interview on Viaplay.

Schmeichel, a pivotal figure in United’s historic treble-winning side, has thrown his weight behind Arsenal’s Spanish goalkeeper David Raya. The Dane believes Raya has been the standout performer this campaign, arguing that without his contributions, Arsenal would not be contending for the title. “There is one outstanding candidate, and that is Arsenal’s goalkeeper, David Raya,” Schmeichel stated emphatically. “If you take him out of Arsenal, Arsenal are nowhere near that first position they’re in now.”

On the other hand, Ljungberg, who was part of Arsenal’s ‘Invincibles’ squad, has opted for a more attacking choice. The Swede pointed to Manchester City’s prolific striker Erling Haaland as his preferred winner. “I would probably go with Haaland. He has scored really important goals,” Ljungberg explained. The Norwegian international has been a goal machine for City, netting crucial strikes throughout the season.

The divergence in opinion highlights the depth of talent in the Premier League this season. While Schmeichel emphasizes defensive solidity, Ljungberg values offensive firepower. Both players have made compelling cases, leaving fans and pundits debating who truly deserves the prestigious award.

Sporting Lagos head coach Jeffrey Buter has expressed confidence that his team can elevate their performance following their narrow victory over Ranchers Bees in the opening match of the Nigeria National League (NNL) Super Four playoff tournament. The Lagos-based side secured a 1-0 win at the Remo Stars Stadium in Ikenne on Monday.

Buter acknowledged the challenge of facing an unfamiliar opponent, noting that thorough preparation was key to the triumph. “We conducted a detailed analysis of Ranchers Bees since we were not in the same conference, and it paid off,” he told the club’s media team.

Looking ahead to their next fixture against Doma United on Wednesday, the Dutch tactician emphasized the need for a flexible game plan. “Every match is unique, and so is the opponent. We don’t stick to a single strategy; we adapt based on what we expect from the other team,” Buter explained.

Despite the positive start, Buter believes there is room for growth. “We can definitely play better and build on our showing in the first game,” he added. Sporting Lagos will aim to secure another positive result in the Super Four playoff as they pursue promotion.”

Arsenal have secured their spot in the Champions League final after a hard-fought 1-0 victory against Atletico Madrid on Tuesday night at the Emirates Stadium. The first leg in Madrid ended 1-1, setting up a tense second leg in London.

The Gunners controlled the first half, creating several chances. The breakthrough came when Bukayo Saka pounced on a rebound from Leandro Trossard‘s shot to slot home just before halftime. That goal proved to be the decisive moment of the tie.

Atletico Madrid pushed hard for an equalizer in the second half, but Arsenal’s defense held firm to keep a clean sheet. Mikel Arteta’s side managed the game well, frustrating the Spanish side’s attempts to break through.

This victory means Arsenal will now face either Paris Saint-Germain or Bayern Munich in the final. The match is scheduled for May 30 at the Puskás Aréna in Budapest, Hungary. It will be Arsenal’s first Champions League final appearance since 2006.

Nigerian streamer and recent celebrity boxing champion, Carter Efe, has publicly complained about the delayed disbursement of his N50 million prize money. In a video circulating on social media, the influencer expressed frustration over not receiving the promised reward despite his hard-fought victory.

According to DAILY POST, Carter Efe emerged victorious in a celebrity boxing match against singer Portable on Friday, securing the N50 million prize. However, instead of celebrating, Carter Efe is now calling on event organizers to fulfill their financial obligation.

In his appeal, Carter Efe stated: “I still haven’t been given my money. I haven’t seen the N50 million. I nearly died in that fight, yet I haven’t gotten the N50 million. They should please pay me the N50.” His plea underscores the tension surrounding the payment delay.

This development comes after Portable, the defeated opponent, had earlier alleged that the fight was rigged. Portable claimed the organizers manipulated the outcome to avoid paying a massive N23 billion in betting stakes from fans who had wagered on his win. Despite these accusations, Carter Efe maintains that he is the rightful winner and deserves his prize without further delay.

The controversy has sparked widespread discussion on social media, with many fans urging the organizers to settle the payment promptly to avoid further scandal.