SportsNews

Arsenal left praying for help while Man City shine as end game nears’

Published

1 year ago

May 5, 2024

We are nearing the end game now.

As Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola rather succinctly put it: “One week left, three games left. Nine points and we will be champions. Seven, six or three points, Arsenal will win the Premier League.”

Guardiola is not placing much faith in Manchester United then, given he expects Arsenal to win every game and the Gunners visit Old Trafford on 12 May.

But, then, he doesn’t have to.

If City win their final three games they will go into the history books as the first team to win the English title in four successive seasons.

Four Erling Haaland goals against Wolves ensured City navigated their latest obstacle with ease. Now it is on to Craven Cottage and Fulham, a team they have beaten 15 times in a row.

They finish with West Ham at home. City have not dropped a point at Etihad Stadium against the Hammers since Guardiola arrived in 2016.

In between comes a trip to Tottenham. City have not scored a Premier League goal or taken a point at Spurs’ new stadium. They did win there in the FA Cup this season, though, and Ange Postecoglou’s team are in terrible form.

And, as Wolves boss Gary O’Neil pointed out, this is the hardest time to play City.

“Manchester City, in May, when they are chasing down a fourth consecutive Premier League title, are fairly tough,” he said.

“They have an incredible focus at this point. History tells you, at this point in the run-in, they are difficult to stop.”

The one negative for City is that Arsenal’s goal difference is better by six, which means they have to win to reach the top. A draw will not do.

“Goal difference is not possible,” Guardiola said. “We cannot draw. We have to take nine points.”

In a separate interview with BBC Match of the Day, he added: “Hopefully, we can come back here in a few days and have the chance against West Ham to come here and win the title.”

For City to get to the West Ham game and not have a chance of the title, it would require Arsenal to beat Manchester United and for City to get no more than a point from the Fulham and Tottenham trips.

That feels unlikely for a team that has put an astonishing run together of 16 wins and four draws since they were beaten at Aston Villa on 6 December.

Not that it should come as a surprise.

Last season, City went on a 16-match unbeaten run, winning 14 times, to take the title before they lost at Brentford on the final day. The year before that, they won 23 times in a run of one defeat in 28. The season before that, they won 17 times in a 19-match unbeaten sequence.

“When you are coming towards the end of the season, you do think differently,” former City defender Micah Richards told Sky Sports. “These games are the most important and that’s where City seem to thrive.”

As Richards’ fellow pundit Jamie Redknapp said, Arsenal’s task is straightforward.

They must win at Old Trafford and then again against Everton on the final day. Anything else is completely out of their hands.

Given the run Mikel Arteta’s side have been on, and the two seasons they have had, few would begrudge the Gunners a first title since 2004.

But, as Jurgen Klopp and Liverpool have found out, running City close and overhauling them are two different matters.

“They are an unbelievable team,” said Arsenal midfielder Declan Rice. “What I have learned in this title race is that you have to be nearly perfect. They have done that for three years in a row.

“I have massive respect for what they have done. But we have two games to go and we’re praying for something to go our way.”

SportsNews

Transfer: Osimhen will make decision Tuesday amid interest from Chelsea, Galatasaray, others’

Published

6 hours ago

June 14, 2025

Ekwutos Blog

Napoli striker, Victor Osimhen will make a decision regarding his future on Monday or Tuesday amid interest from the likes of Chelsea, Galatasaray and Juventus.

This was disclosed by respected Galatasaray journalist, Serhan Turk.

Speaking during the A Spor broadcast, Turk also revealed that Galatasaray have set a budget aside for Osimhen.

“I think Victor Osimhen will make his decision on Monday or Tuesday. A budget has been set aside for Osimhen, and sponsorships have a big contribution to this budget,” Turk was quoted by habersarikirmizi as saying.

“However, these sponsors will only step in for Osimhen’s transfer. I think sponsorships may shift to other players as well.

“Because Galatasaray brings very important players.”

This is coming after Galatasaray intensified their effort to sign Osimhen on a permanent basis from Napoli this summer.

The Nigeria international is expected to leave Napoli permanently this summer transfer window.

SportsNews

Serie A: Lookman nominated for Atalanta’s Player of the Season

Published

1 day ago

June 13, 2025

Ekwutos Blog

Ademola Lookman is in the running for Atalanta’s Goal of the Season award, Ekwutosblog reports.

Lookman had two goals nominated for the individual accolade.

The Nigeria international’s superb strike in Atalanta’s 3-2 loss to Real Madrid was the first on the list.

The 27-year-old also earned nomination for his sublime finish in La Dea’s 5-0 trouncing of Empoli at the Gewiss Stadium.

Lookman will be looking to add another individual award to his collections after scooping Atalanta’s Player of the Season prize for the last two campaigns.

He scored 22 times and recorded five assists in 46 appearances across all competitions for the Bergamo club last season.

SportsNews

EPL: Sign Osimhen instead of Gyokeres – Ferdinand advises Man United

Published

2 days ago

June 13, 2025

Ekwutos Blog

Rio Ferdinand

Former Manchester United defender Rio Ferdinand has advised his former club to sign Victor Osimhen instead of Viktor Gyokeres.

The Red Devils are in search of more firepower upfront after an underwhelming campaign.

The duo of Rasmus Hojlund and Joshua Zirkzee failed to deliver the goods, with United finishing in a disappointing 15th position on the table.

Ruben Amorim’s side also lost to Tottenham Hotspur in the final of the UEFA Europa League.

Gyokeres, who had an outstanding campaign for Portuguese club Sporting Lisbon, has been linked with a move to Old Trafford.

The forward scored 39 goals and registered eight assists to help Sporting Lisbon clinch the Portuguese League title.

Despite his impressive form in front of goal, Ferdinand believed Osimhen would be a better fit for his old club.

“I think Gyokeres, everyone’s talking about him. Again, I think if I’m looking at the market now and I had to pick him or Osimhen, I’d probably pick Osimhen because of that experience,” the former England international told the Mirror.