Sports
Arteta Maintains Belief In Arsenal’s Potential To Secure The League Title
Mikel Arteta, the manager of Arsenal, remains optimistic about his team’s chances in the Premier League title race, emphasizing that there is still a mathematical possibility for them to clinch the trophy.
Throughout the season, the Gunners had consistently held the top position in the league, aiming to break their 19-year drought and secure the championship.
In the face of relentless pressure from Manchester City, who have achieved an impressive 11-game winning streak, Arsenal has struggled in recent months.
Mikel Arteta’s team, unfortunately, has experienced a downturn in form, managing to secure victories in only two out of their last seven matches.
Arteta told Sky Sports “We have to apologise because the performance we had in the second-half is not acceptable.
“Mathematically (winning the league) it’s still possible and this is football but today it is impossible to be thinking about it. We have to first digest the result, the performance that we had in the second half, and understand why and have a very different reaction in the next game.”
In the upcoming match between Arsenal and Nottingham Forest on Saturday, a loss for Arsenal would result in Manchester City clinching the title for the fifth time in six seasons and securing a third consecutive title.
Even if Arsenal manages to respond positively with a victory at Forest, City can still secure the title by winning their match against Chelsea on May 21 or by earning three points in their remaining fixtures against Brighton and Brentford.
It is worth noting that Arsenal’s involvement in the title race has exceeded expectations, and their achievement of securing Champions League qualification for the first time in seven seasons is commendable.
According to Arteta, Arsenal’s inability to bounce back after conceding Julio Enciso’s header early in the second half serves as a warning sign for the team as they look ahead to the next season.
In the closing stages of the match, Deniz Undav and Pervis Estupinan further compounded Arsenal’s disappointment by adding to their lead, intensifying the agony for the Gunners. Brighton’s victory in that match marked a significant milestone for the club, as it propelled them closer to securing European qualification for the first time in their history.
Arteta added “We concede a goal and from there the team had no reaction. When you give away the silly goal we gave away, the second one, the team collapsed and had no answers. If the team is able to do that there is something we have to address.”
Martin Odegaard, the captain of Arsenal, has acknowledged that the title race is essentially concluded
He said “Yeah it feels like that. It is going to be very difficult now we have to be honest. It is tough to take.
“It is not a good feeling at the moment. The way we played, particularly in the second half, I don’t know what happened to be honest. It feels like there is no hope now.”
Despite their late collapse, Odegaard insisted his young teammates had been mentally tough enough for the pressure of the title race.
He said “We wanted to come here and continue like we have in the last two games, get a good result and keep pushing. It is a big disappointment.
“In the first half we did a lot of good things and had moments to create big chances but we gave them more and more momentum in the second half.
“I don’t think mentality was an issue. We were good going into the game but in the game was a different story and we have to accept it and learn from it.” he added.
FIFA’s Head of Refereeing, Pierluigi Collina, has firmly defended the integrity and independence of match officials at the ongoing 2026 FIFA World Cup, dismissing allegations of bias following Argentina’s controversial 3-2 victory over Egypt in the Round of 16.
The governing body responded after the Egyptian Football Association (EFA) and head coach Hossam Hassan questioned several refereeing decisions that proved decisive in Tuesday’s dramatic encounter, with Egypt accusing officials of applying double standards.
SEE ALSO: Trump Reacts as FIFA Clears Balogun to Face Belgium in World Cup Clash
The North Africans looked set for a famous victory after racing into a two-goal lead before defending champions Argentina staged a stunning comeback, capped by Enzo Fernandez’s stoppage-time winner to book a place in the quarter-finals.
Following the defeat, Hassan suggested there may have been pressure to ensure Lionel Messi and Argentina remained in the tournament, while the EFA formally called on FIFA to investigate what it described as inconsistent officiating.
Reacting to the claims, Collina insisted that while football welcomes debate over refereeing decisions, questioning the integrity of match officials is unacceptable.
“Constructive discussion about decisions will always be part of football, but unfounded allegations have no place in our sport,” Collina said.
He warned that such accusations could expose referees and their families to abuse and threats.
“Nobody can question the integrity of the FIFA World Cup match officials. When this happens, it may provoke reactions that lead to threats against them and their families. This is not right,” he added.
The former Italian referee also dismissed suggestions that FIFA’s refereeing department could be influenced by senior officials, including FIFA president Gianni Infantino.
According to Collina, referees operate independently and are trusted to make honest decisions without interference.
Addressing Egypt’s complaints, Collina explained that VAR correctly ruled out Mostafa Zico’s goal because of an earlier foul by Marwan Attia during the attacking phase.
He also defended the decision not to award Mohamed Salah a foul in the build-up to Argentina’s winning goal, saying both the referee and VAR agreed it was “normal football contact” after Julian Alvarez had first played the ball.
Although he acknowledged that some decisions will always involve an element of subjectivity, Collina expressed confidence in the application of VAR throughout the tournament.
Argentina will now continue their title defence in the quarter-finals, while Egypt exits the competition still frustrated by the officiating decisions that overshadowed an enthralling Round of 16 clash.
Norway pulled off one of the biggest upsets of the 2026 FIFA World Cup on Sunday night, defeating five-time champions Brazil 2-1 to book a place in the quarter-finals.
Manchester City striker Erling Haaland inspired the Scandinavian side with a brilliant second-half brace at MetLife Stadium, ending Brazil’s hopes of winning a record-extending sixth World Cup title.
After a tightly contested encounter, Haaland broke the deadlock in the 79th minute with a powerful header to give Norway the lead.
SEE ALSO: Trump Reacts as FIFA Clears Balogun to Face Belgium in World Cup Clash
Brazil’s hopes of a comeback were dashed in the closing moments when Haaland struck again in the 90th minute, sealing a famous victory for Norway and sending them into the last eight of the tournament.
The result marks one of the competition’s biggest surprises, with Norway eliminating one of the pre-tournament favourites to continue their impressive World Cup campaign.
Norway will now turn their attention to the quarter-finals, while Brazil bow out of the tournament with their quest for a sixth World Cup crown brought to an abrupt end.
United States President Donald Trump has welcomed FIFA’s decision to suspend the red card issued to USA striker Folarin Balogun, clearing the forward to feature in the country’s crucial Round of 16 clash against Belgium at the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
FIFA announced the decision on Sunday, overturning the suspension that would have ruled Balogun out of Monday’s knockout encounter after he was sent off during the USA’s match against Bosnia last week.
SEE MORE: Fresh Report Warns Nigeria May Miss Another World Cup If Current NFF Stays
The development comes as a major boost for the United States, with Balogun expected to play a key role in the team’s bid to secure a place in the quarter-finals.
Reacting shortly after FIFA’s announcement, Trump took to his Truth Social platform to praise the governing body for what he described as the right decision.
“Thank you to FIFA for doing what was right, and reversing a great injustice!” Trump wrote.
Balogun’s availability is expected to strengthen the American attack against Belgium in one of the standout fixtures of the World Cup Round of 16.
The striker has been a key figure for the USA throughout the tournament, and his return provides a timely boost as the team prepares for one of its toughest tests in the competition.
Shell Boosts Nigerian Content with $518m Contracts in 2025
Court Delivers Major Blow to FG, Voids Eight-Year Retirement Rule for Education Directors
“Release My Son’s Body” – Mother of Slain #EndSARS Journalist Breaks Down Six Years Later
DR Congo Ebola Crisis Deepens as Frontline Health Workers Threaten Strike Over Unpaid Salaries
Tinubu Pushes State Police, Sends Constitutional Amendment Bill to Reps
Presidency Blasts Makinde Over UN Probe Call on Oyo School Abduction
Trump’s Family Unveils New Cryptocurrency Platform
Senate Denies Receiving Petitions Against Tinubu’s Ambassadorial Nominees
Dangote Cement Lights Up Benue Host Communities With CSR Initiatives
Reps Recommend 3-year Jail Term For Aviation minister
Tems Sets New Record On Billboard Hot 100 Chart
