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.
World football governing body FIFA is facing growing scrutiny after authorities in the United States opened an investigation into allegations of ticket pricing exploitation ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
The probe, announced by officials in New York and New Jersey, will examine whether FIFA engaged in unfair pricing strategies, including alleged “impossibly high” ticket costs, misleading seat allocations, and dynamic pricing models that push prices higher as demand increases.
According to prosecutors, the investigation aims to determine whether fans were unfairly treated during the ticket sales process or misled about what they were purchasing.
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New Jersey Attorney General Jennifer Davenport described the ticketing system as confusing and exploitative, saying it has turned access to World Cup matches into what she called a “gauntlet of confusion and fake scarcity.”
Her New York counterpart, Letitia James, also expressed concern over rising ticket prices and accessibility, stressing that football supporters deserve transparency and fairness in the sales process.
The controversy has intensified ahead of the tournament kickoff on June 11 across the United States, Mexico, and Canada, with the final scheduled to be held at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey on July 19.
Beyond ticket prices, fans have also raised concerns about additional match-day costs, including expensive transportation and parking fees, further increasing the financial burden of attending games.
The investigation adds to mounting pressure on FIFA as global criticism grows over the commercialisation of major football tournaments and the affordability of attending matches for ordinary supporters.
Authorities in other US states have also reportedly raised concerns, suggesting the issue could be more widespread across the tournament’s hosting arrangements.
Strategic partners to the Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL), GTI Asset Management and Trust Limited, have joined millions of football fans across Nigeria and the diaspora in congratulating Rangers International FC of Enugu for emerging champions of the 2025/2026 NPFL season.
In a statement issued on Monday, GTI’s Head of Media and Publicity, Andrew Ekejiuba, praised the Flying Antelopes for securing their ninth league title, describing the achievement as a reflection of resilience, consistency, and the club’s rich football heritage.
He also commended the NPFL Board led by Otunba Gbenga Elegbeleye for its sustained efforts in repositioning Nigerian football through the creation of a more competitive and commercially attractive league structure capable of restoring fans’ confidence and attracting wider national and international interest.
“The just concluded NPFL season will go down in history as one of the most competitive and exciting campaigns ever witnessed in Nigerian football, with the title race extending to the final day before a winner eventually emerged.
“For GTI, this is a landmark victory for Rangers International and a proud moment for Nigerian football. Winning the league title for the ninth time and equalling the record held by Enyimba FC is not only a testament to the club’s quality and tradition, but also a clear indication of the growing competitiveness of our elite league.
“We extend our heartfelt congratulations to all 20 clubs that participated in the just concluded season, including those that secured continental tickets and those unfortunately relegated. Next season presents another opportunity for every team to improve and compete more strongly.
“GTI will continue to partner with the NPFL as Nigerian football steadily progresses toward greater continental and global relevance, judging by the quality and excitement witnessed throughout the 2025/2026 season,” Ekejiuba stated.
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Following the conclusion of Matchday 38 fixtures, Rangers International finished top of the table with 68 points after securing a 2-1 victory over Ikorodu City FC in Lagos. Rivers United FC finished second with 67 points despite defeating Katsina United FC 3-0, as Rangers only needed a win to guarantee the title.
Ikorodu City’s defeat ensured that Shooting Stars retained third position with 60 points despite their loss to Niger Tornadoes FC.
Statistics from the season showed that a total of 772 goals were scored, with 287 wins recorded, including 45 away victories and 93 matches drawn. Godwin Obaje of Rangers International emerged as the league’s top scorer with 14 goals.
Meanwhile, former champions Remo Stars FC and El-Kanemi Warriors joined Bayelsa United FC and Wikki Tourists FC of Bauchi as the four clubs relegated at the end of the season.
PHOTO CAPTION: Rangers International Football Club of Enugu players celebrating after emerging champions of the NPFL 2025/2026 season in Lagos at the weekend.
The race to become Europe’s most prolific striker since 2020 has turned into one of the fiercest individual battles in modern football, with elite forwards pushing each other to record-breaking levels across the top five European leagues.
While the previous decade was dominated by Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo, a new generation of attacking stars has taken over, reshaping the goal-scoring landscape in world football.
SEE ALSO: Harry Kane Hits Back At Critics With Historic Hat-Trick For Bayern Munich
According to compiled statistics from performances since the start of the 2020 decade, Bayern Munich striker Harry Kane currently sits at the top of the chart with 175 goals, narrowly ahead of his closest rivals.
Hot on his heels are three of football’s biggest names tied on 174 goals each — Manchester City’s goal machine Erling Haaland, France superstar Kylian Mbappé, and former Bayern Munich forward now at Barcelona Robert Lewandowski.
Liverpool talisman Mohamed Salah follows behind with 128 goals, maintaining his reputation as one of the most consistent scorers in Europe.
Inter Milan captain Lautaro Martínez has also impressed with 118 goals, leading the line for the Italian giants across multiple strong seasons.
Further down the list, Canadian striker Jonathan David (93 goals) and Aston Villa forward Ollie Watkins (91 goals) have established themselves as reliable Premier League and Ligue 1 finishers respectively.
Juventus striker Dušan Vlahović and Osasuna forward Ante Budimir are level on 89 goals each, highlighting their consistency in Italy and Spain.
Completing the top scorers’ list is Borussia Dortmund and Stuttgart forward Serhou Guirassy with 101 goals, reflecting his rise as one of Europe’s most efficient attackers in recent seasons.
See the list below:
1. Harry Kane – 175 goals
2. Erling Haaland – 174 goals
3. Kylian Mbappé – 174 goals
4. Robert Lewandowski – 174 goals
5. Mohamed Salah – 128 goals
6. Lautaro Martínez – 118 goals
7. Serhou Guirassy – 101 goals
8. Jonathan David – 93 goals
9. Ollie Watkins – 91 goals
10. Dušan Vlahović – 89 goals
The figures underline just how competitive modern football has become, with only a few goals separating some of the biggest names in the sport and every season capable of changing the rankings dramatically.
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