Category: Entertainment

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has provided the latest on his squad’s fitness as the Gunners approach their season-ending fixtures. The North London side, who recently secured their first Premier League title in over two decades, will travel to Selhurst Park on Sunday to face Crystal Palace. Following that, they have a Champions League final showdown against Paris Saint-Germain on the horizon.

During a press conference, Arteta revealed that midfielder Mikel Merino has returned to full training and is set to rejoin group sessions imminently. However, defender Jurrien Timber remains on a slower recovery path. “Mikel will begin training with the team tomorrow. Today was just a light session,” Arteta explained. “As for Jurrien, we hope he can follow suit in the coming days, but he is slightly behind Mikel in his recovery.”

Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta has finally opened up about his absence during the squad’s viewing of Manchester City’s draw with Bournemouth, a result that crowned the Gunners Premier League champions. Instead of celebrating with his players, Arteta chose a quiet evening at home, away from the cameras.

Speaking to reporters on Thursday, Arteta described the moment as one of the best feelings he has ever experienced. He explained that he had initially planned to watch the match alongside his players and staff, but a sudden change of heart made him leave just twenty minutes before kickoff. ‘I couldn’t bring the energy I wanted,’ Arteta admitted. ‘It was their moment to be together, watch it themselves, and just see what the outcome would be.’

Rather than joining the team at the Sobha Realty training center, Arteta went home, stepped into his garden, built a fire, and started barbecuing. He didn’t watch a single minute of the game. ‘I was just hearing noises in the background and the living room, then the magic happened,’ he recalled.

The emotional climax came when his eldest son burst through the garden door, crying, and hugged him, shouting, ‘We’re champions, Daddy.’ His wife and two other sons soon joined, creating a beautiful family moment. ‘It was magical,’ Arteta said. Shortly after, captain Martin Odegaard called him via video, asking where he was. ‘I said, ‘Enjoy it. See you in a few hours, somewhere in London.”

After clinching the Premier League trophy for the first time in more than two decades, Arsenal’s players are poised to receive substantial financial rewards. According to a report from The Times, each first-team player will earn approximately £6,000 per match appearance in the league, supplemented by additional funds from a season-long bonus pool accumulated through successes in domestic and European competitions.

Depending on their number of appearances, some squad members could collect total bonuses nearing £250,000. Naturally, regular starters are expected to top the bonus charts. Goalkeeper David Raya and midfielder Martin Zubimendi are projected to be among the highest earners, while key figures such as Bukayo Saka, Gabriel Magalhães, and William Saliba could each take home around £192,000 based on their consistent presence in the lineup.

The financial incentives extend beyond the league. If Arsenal triumph in the Champions League final scheduled in Budapest, reports indicate that each player might receive an extra £125,000. The club’s historic title win has not only ended a long drought but also unlocked significant paydays for the squad, reflecting the immense value placed on ending Arsenal’s 20-year wait for English football’s top prize.

With the Premier League season reaching its climax, former Arsenal star Paul Merson has shared his forecasts for the final round of matches on Sunday. Arsenal secured the title earlier this week after Manchester City were held to a 1-1 draw by Bournemouth, setting the stage for a celebratory finale at Selhurst Park against Crystal Palace.

In his Sportskeeda column, Merson tipped the Gunners to claim a 2-1 victory over Palace. He also offered predictions for other key fixtures, including a 3-0 win for Manchester City over Aston Villa and a 2-1 defeat for Manchester United at Brighton.

Here is a full rundown of Merson’s scoreline forecasts for the final day:

Manchester City 3-0 Aston Villa, Brighton 2-1 Manchester United, Fulham 2-2 Newcastle United, Tottenham Hotspur 1-1 Everton, Liverpool 3-1 Brentford, Burnley 2-2 Wolves, Nottingham Forest 1-1 Bournemouth, West Ham United 2-1 Leeds United, Crystal Palace 1-2 Arsenal, Sunderland 2-2 Chelsea.

Swedish side AIK has prevented rising star Zadok Yohanna from joining the Super Eagles for the upcoming Unity Cup tournament in London, sources confirm.

The 18-year-old winger was among the fresh faces called up by head coach Eric Chelle for the international friendly competition. However, a hamstring injury sustained during a match for AIK two weeks ago has complicated his availability.

Still in recovery, Yohanna is expected to resume full training before the month ends. AIK officials stated that the decision to withdraw him from the Unity Cup is based on both sporting considerations and the player’s health.

Despite the setback, the youngster has impressed this season, scoring twice and providing three assists in seven league appearances for the Gnaget.

Arsenal icon Paul Merson has opened up about his feelings regarding Pep Guardiola’s upcoming exit from Manchester City, describing it as a significant blow to the Premier League. Speaking in his regular column for Sportskeeda, the former midfielder expressed genuine sorrow over the Catalan coach’s decision to leave England’s top flight.

Guardiola is set to oversee his final match in charge of Manchester City this Sunday against Aston Villa at the Etihad Stadium. This fixture marks the end of an era, concluding a remarkable ten-year tenure with the club that has redefined modern football in England.

According to Merson, the 54-year-old manager’s influence goes beyond trophies and tactical innovations. He labeled Guardiola an absolute legend of the game and admitted that his absence will be deeply felt. “I’m truly sad to witness him go,” Merson wrote. “There’s no doubt that the Premier League will miss him immensely. He’s been a transformative figure.”

The City boss’s final game against Aston Villa will bring the curtain down on one of the most successful managerial reigns in football history. Merson’s comments reflect a wider sentiment among pundits and fans alike, who recognize Guardiola’s unparalleled impact on the league’s quality and global appeal.

Nollywood actress Sharon Ooja, also known as Sharon Ojo Nwoke, has joyfully announced the birth of her first child, a baby boy, with her husband Ugo Nwoke. The actress took to social media to share the exciting news, expressing deep gratitude to God, her spouse, and her family and friends for their unwavering support during her pregnancy journey.

In her heartfelt post, she wrote, “I just gave birth to the most handsome baby boy I have ever seen. I’m still overwhelmed with joy and gratitude.” She reflected on how the years 2025 and 2026 have been transformative, stating that God has written a story only He can take glory for. She described how pregnancy deepened her understanding of God’s love as unconditional, intentional, and indescribable. Quoting Psalm 126:2, she said, “My mouth is filled with laughter and my tongue with singing.” She also encouraged those trying to conceive, writing, “God is about to surprise you the same way He surprised me. Write it down today: your miracle is here.”

Sharon praised her husband for his fierce love and support throughout the pregnancy, thanking him for prayers, reassurance, back rubs, trips, baths, gifts, and food runs. She said, “Me, Win, and Zoey are so blessed to have you.” She announced her son’s initials as W.I.N and happily declared, “You can officially call me mama win, the yummiest mummy on the block.”

The actress and Ugo Nwoke had a whirlwind romance, dating for only two and a half months before tying the knot in a private civil ceremony in March 2024. Sharon had previously referred to this period as “the year God made me laugh” because of the unexpected joy she experienced.

Nollywood actress Mercy Johnson Okojie is facing strong criticism online after being named a brand ambassador for Girls Tag, a menstrual care product that retails for N25,000. The product, described as a comprehensive period care pack aimed at girls aged nine and above, was launched with Johnson and her daughter Purity Okojie as faces of the brand. Shortly after, actress Regina Daniels was also announced as an ambassador for Girls Tag.

The premium pricing of the menstrual kit has ignited a firestorm on social media, with many accusing the actress of being out of touch. Critics argue that in a country where countless women and girls cannot afford basic sanitary pads—often resorting to unsafe alternatives or missing school during menstruation—a N25,000 pack is insensitive and elitist.

Some netizens defended Johnson, saying she is running a business and not obligated to serve the masses. “Not everyone is a philanthropist. She knows her target audience. We don’t ask Dangote to sell fuel at a loss,” one user remarked. Others, however, were less forgiving. “Mercy Johnson, you are an embarrassment to women. In a country where women are struggling to afford sanitary pads, you want to charge 25k,” wrote Ms Jorji.

Many Twitter users pointed out that sanitary pads should be a basic amenity, not a luxury. “The target audience had to be baddies,” commented A Tall Edo Girl. Rebekah added, “Nigeria is a poor country. Elitism should never extend to the basic rights and dignity of girls and women. Sanitary pads are not luxury items.”

The backlash reflects deeper frustrations about income inequality and the high cost of essential goods in Nigeria. While Johnson has not publicly responded to the criticism, the controversy continues to trend online, sparking debates about celebrity endorsements and social responsibility.

Senegalese-American music icon Akon recently shared heartfelt remarks about the late King of Pop, Michael Jackson, calling his collaboration with the legend the pinnacle of his career. Speaking on the ‘We Need To Talk’ podcast, Akon revealed that a photo with Jackson remains his most cherished possession, despite his own fame at the time. ‘I was already a huge star when that picture was taken, but next to him, I feel like a child,’ Akon said. ‘Growing up, he was everyone’s idol, and working with him was surreal.’

The 53-year-old singer also turned his attention to African music, proudly noting his role in boosting Afrobeats globally. He acknowledged signing Nigerian acts like P-Square and had a hand in Wizkid’s early career through Banky W’s Empire Mate Entertainment. Akon didn’t hold back his admiration for Nigerians, stating, ‘Nigerians are the most intelligent people on the planet. What they’ve done with Afrobeats is incredible.’

Manchester City striker Erling Haaland has voiced his disappointment following Arsenal’s Premier League triumph, acknowledging that the Gunners were deserving champions this season. The Norwegian forward, whose side finished second, admitted that City’s campaign fell short of the required standard.

In a candid statement, Haaland said the title race was a long and grueling battle, but ultimately his team did not do enough to retain the crown. He emphasized that the team that accumulates the most points over the season is the rightful winner, and Arsenal achieved that feat.

Haaland also took time to personally congratulate his international teammate Martin Odegaard, the Arsenal captain, on leading the club to the league title. He described Odegaard’s achievement as well-earned and praised the midfielder for his contributions throughout the season. The two players share a close bond from representing Norway together on the national stage.

Haaland’s comments come after Arsenal clinched the title with a consistent run of performances, ending Manchester City’s recent dominance in English football. The City star’s message reflects a mix of personal disappointment and respect for a worthy opponent.