Sports

Mikel Arteta Responds To Kimmich’s Criticism Of Arsenal Ahead Of Chelsea Clash

Published

2 weeks ago

November 29, 2025

Arsenal manager, Mikel Arteta, has dismissed Joshua Kimmich’s recent critique of his team’s style, insisting that playing a direct brand of football is not unique to the Gunners.

Kimmich, speaking after Bayern Munich’s 3-1 defeat at the Emirates in Wednesday’s Champions League fixture, accused Arsenal of leaning too heavily on set-pieces and long balls. He suggested that Arsenal are not the stiffest competition Bayern have faced this season, pointing to PSG as a side that delivers more fluent football.

“Arsenal do not play football but try to win games by every means possible,” Kimmich added.

Arteta addressed the comments at his pre-match press conference on Friday. Rather than taking offence, the Spaniard stressed that the match style reflected both teams’ approaches.

I think the way both teams play, I think the way they played against PSG was very similar,” Arteta said. “When everything becomes man-to-man and the way they are with their full-backs, the way we do what we did in terms of rotation, they create a game that has very long sequences of passes.

“So I know what he’s saying, so that’s fine, it’s part of the game. I think the game is provoked in the manner that both teams play, so it’s very understandable.”

Arsenal now turn their attention to the Premier League, travelling to face second-placed Chelsea at Stamford Bridge on Sunday.

Sports

Palmer Out For Chelsea’s Carabao Cup Quarter-Final, Says Maresca

Published

9 hours ago

December 15, 2025

Uthman Abdulganiyu

Chelsea attacker Cole Palmer will not feature in the Blues’ Carabao Cup quarter-final against Cardiff City, head coach Enzo Maresca has confirmed.

The match is set for Tuesday at 8 pm in the Welsh capital, with a place in the semi-finals at stake.

Palmer recently returned to action after a spell out with groin and toe injuries and scored in Chelsea’s weekend victory over Everton at Stamford Bridge.

However, Maresca, in his press conference on Monday, explained that the young forward is being carefully managed to avoid overexertion.

“I’ve already said many times in press conferences that we have many players who need to be protected. Cole is one of the players who deserves to be protected right now. In this moment, he’s not available to play two games in three days. So, he won’t be available for tomorrow’s game, but should be fine for the weekend,” Maresca said.

The Chelsea coach also praised Cardiff City and their manager, Brian Murphy, highlighting the challenge the Blues will face:

“They are top of the league, playing nice football and winning games. I know Brian and know he is doing a good job. This will be a dangerous game for us, and we need to pay attention and be careful tomorrow. We have the opportunity to achieve something important, which is to reach the semi-final of this competition.”

Chelsea will hope to progress to the last four while keeping key players fresh for the Premier League schedule.

Sports

Osimhen Named Sportsman Of The Year In Turkey

Published

5 days ago

December 11, 2025

Uthman Abdulganiyu

Victor Osimhen has been crowned Sportsman of the Year at the 2025 GQ Türkiye Men of the Year Awards, DAILY POST reports.

Osimhen received the prestigious award at an elaborate ceremony on Wednesday night.

The Nigeria international was recognised for his contribution to Galatasaray’s domestic double last season.

The 26-year-old registered 37 goals and seven assists across all competitions for the Yellow and Reds.

Osimhen has already netted 11 goals in 14 matches for Okan Buruk’s side this season.

He is the first Nigerian to win the award.

Sports

Don’t Rely Too Much On Osimhen, Babangida Tells Chelle

Published

5 days ago

December 11, 2025

Uthman Abdulganiyu

Former Nigeria international Tijani Babangida has warned Super Eagles coach Eric Chelle against building the team solely around forward Victor Osimhen ahead of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco, PUNCH Sports Extra reports.

Babangida expressed concern over Nigeria’s over-dependence on the Galatasaray striker, particularly after the team’s struggles when Osimhen was substituted at half-time during the 2026 World Cup play-off defeat to DRCongo.

“It is dangerous that it appears that the Super Eagles are built around Victor Osimhen. It was when Osimhen was removed at the beginning of the second half against Congo that the team started to struggle. That is very bad,” Babangida told Tribal Football.

The former winger emphasised that the Super Eagles of his era were not dependent on a single player and urged Chelle to address the issue before the tournament.

“The Super Eagles of my time were not built around one player. Many people have observed that the Super Eagles are built around Osimhen. This is a problem that Eric Chelle must fix if the team wants to win the AFCON,” he said.

“Chelle must impart this mentality to all the players, the attackers especially, that the team is not built around Osimhen. Any player given the nod to feature in any game must perform very well and play as a team.”

Babangida stressed that while a fully fit Osimhen is valuable, the team must maintain high morale regardless of his availability.

“We need a fully fit Osimhen, but we also need fully mentally prepared players who know that with or without Osimhen, Super Eagles can win. Morale should be high in the team whether Osimhen is there or not,” he added.

“Super Eagles should not be in a mess if Osimhen is injured. Chelle must address this issue because injury is part of the game. Osimhen’s absence in any game should not be the end of the world for Super Eagles.”

Nigeria have been drawn in Group C alongside Tanzania, Uganda, and Tunisia as they chase a fourth AFCON title.