SportsNews

EPL: Mikel Arteta reveals decision on sacking Odegaard as Arsenal captain

Published

4 weeks ago

May 10, 2025

Ekwutos Blog

Arsenal boss, Mikel Arteta, has taken his stance on sacking Martin Odegaard as the captain of his team.

There have been rumours claiming that Martin Odegaard could be stripped of the Arsenal captain’s armband.

This is following Arsenal’s series of disappointing performances and exit from the Champions League.

The Athletic reports that these claims are baseless and the Norwegian will retain the armband next season.

The midfielder was sidelined with a knee injury for nearly three months after he started the season.

However, the former Real Madrid midfielder’s performance has wavered of late as he has scored just one goal in the Premier League since the turn of the year.

Odegaard’s was not his real self across the two legs of Arsenal’s Champions League semi-final clash with Paris Saint-Germain.

He was not able to impact both legs of the game both at the Emirates, and the Parc des Princes.

Arsenal fell to a 1-0 loss against the Ligue 1 giants in London in the first leg.

Mark Lawrenson had asked Arteta to strip the Norwegian of captaincy and give it to Declan Rice.

The Athletic had claimed that Arsenal fairly certain that the Norwegian will still be the Arsenal captain at the start of next season.

Odegaard was named Arsenal captain in 20022 following the departure of Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Alexandre Lacazette from the Emirates Stadium.

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Friendly: Nigeria’s Super Eagles hold Russia in Moscow

Published

2 hours ago

June 6, 2025

Ekwutos Blog

Nigeria’s Super Eagles came from behind to secure a 1-1 draw with Russia in an international friendly in Moscow.

The match took place at the Luzhniki Stadium on Friday evening.

The hosts took the lead just before the half-hour mark through an own goal by Semi Ajayi.

However, in the second half, Tolu Arokodare restored parity for Eric Chelle’s side following a misplaced pass from the Russian goalkeeper.

Nigeria will now shift their focus to the World Cup qualifiers in the coming days.

The Super Eagles are set to face Rwanda and South Africa later this year.

Prior to the Russia fixture, Nigeria won the Unity Cup after defeating Jamaica in London last weekend.

SportsNews

Transfer: Al Hilal issue ultimatum to Osimhen

Published

12 hours ago

June 6, 2025

Ekwutos Blog

Saudi club Al-Hilal have handed Victor Osimhen a Friday deadline to respond to their transfer request.

The Blue Waves are prepared to trigger the €75m release clause in Osimhen’s contract.

The Turkish side have also dangled a contract worth €30m per season at the Nigeria international.

According to transfer expert, Ben Jacobs, Al-Hilal are optimistic of a positive answer from the striker.

The former Saudi Pro League champions first made an attempt to sign Osimhen in January 2023.

Osimhen agreed to join another Saudi club, Al-Ahli last summer, only for Napoli to ask for more money.

SportsNews

Transfer: Hansi Flick takes decision on signing Lookman for Barcelona

Published

2 days ago

June 5, 2025

Ekwutos Blog

Barcelona manager, Hansi Flick, has added Atalanta’s Ademola Lookman to his list of potential transfer targets this summer.

Since moving to the Serie A club from RB Leipzig three years ago, Lookman has scored 52 goals and provided 25 assists in 118 fixtures.

The 27-year-old netted a hat-trick against Bayer Leverkusen team as La Dea claimed the Europa League trophy last year.

Lookman, whose current contract expires next year, is also attracting attention from Chelsea, Manchester United, Arsenal, Nottingham Forest, Atletico Madrid and Barcelona.

But it appears Barca are ready to step up their efforts to land Lookman this summer.

Barca Times reports that Flick has informed the board that he wants Lookman at the club.

It is believed that Atalanta have set their asking price at €60million.