Sports
EPL: Arsenal Stumble As Brentford Snatch Late Draw At The Emirates

Arsenal’s faint Premier League title hopes were effectively extinguished as a late equaliser from Yoane Wissa earned Brentford a 1-1 draw at the Emirates Stadium on Saturday.
Mikel Arteta’s side were on a high after their stunning 3-0 win over Champions League holders Real Madrid in the quarter-final first leg in north London on Tuesday.
But the second-placed Gunners were unable to use the momentum from that remarkable victory to put pressure on Premier League leaders Liverpool.
Although Thomas Partey gave Arsenal the lead in the second half, Wissa’s leveller left them 10 points behind Liverpool, who host West Ham in their game in hand on Sunday.
READ ALSO: Arsenal Stroll Into UCL Quarter-finals With 9-3 Aggregate Win
Liverpool need just nine points from their last seven games to be crowned English champions for a record-equalling 20th time and first since 2020.
Arsenal are destined to finish as runners-up in the title race for a third successive season, but their focus was already firmly fixed on winning the Champions League for the first time.
With that in mind, Arteta made five changes ahead of Wednesday’s second leg in Madrid as Bukayo Saka, Martin Odegaard, Jurrien Timber, Mikel Merino and Myles Lewis-Skelly were all rested.
Gabriel Martinelli threatened in the early moments, but Brentford goalkeeper Mark Flekken was equal to his strike.
READ ALSO: Police Inspector Slumps, Dies After Watching Arsenal Thrash Real Madrid In Calabar
There was a feeling of anti-climax after the drama and passion on display on the pitch and in the stands against Real.
Arsenal’s fans were inevitably unable to match the atmosphere that rocked the Emirates in midweek, and the players did little to raise the decibel levels with their flat opening.
Sensing an opportunity for his club’s first win at Arsenal since 1938, Kristoffer Ajer nearly put Brentford ahead with a low shot that David Raya blocked with his legs.
Kieran Tierney thought he had headed Arsenal into the lead after 26 minutes, but his effort was disallowed by the semi-automated offside system being used for the first time in the Premier League on Saturday.
Arsenal left-back Oleksandr Zinchenko was denied by Flekken before Declan Rice’s drive was repelled by the Dutchman.
READ ALSO: EPL: Arsenal Title Bid Rocked By 0-1 West Ham Loss
Flekken made his best save of the half when he plunged to his left to keep out Leandro Trossard’s long-range blast.
But Flekken was finally beaten in the 61st minute as Rice showed there is more to his attacking game that unstoppable free-kicks.
When Raya caught a Brentford corner and rolled the ball out to Rice, the England midfielder embarked on a lung-bursting run from the edge of his own area into the Brentford box, where he laid a perfect pass into Partey, who smashed a clinical finish past Flekken.
READ ALSO: Arsenal Crush Man City 5-1 To Keep Premier League Title Hopes Alive Title
Arteta sent on Saka, Odegaard and Lewis-Skelly in a bid to deliver the knockout blow.
But Brentford refused to be intimidated as the visitors snatched a well-crafted equaliser in the 74th minute.
Nathan Collins met Michael Kayode’s cross with a header that Arsenal failed to clear as Wissa swivelled to fire past Raya from close range.
Saka wasted a chance to restore Arsenal’s lead with a tame finish and then curled just wide in stoppage time after Jorginho went off with a shoulder injury that forced the Gunners to play the final minutes with 10 men.
AFP
Sports
EPL: Why I Won’t Stay One More Year At Man Utd – Casemiro
Manchester United midfielder, Casemiro, has explained why he won’t stay one more year at the club.
The 34-year-old is set to leave Old Trafford at the end of the current season.
The Brazilian, however, had been urged by the club’s fans to extend his contract by one more year due to his brilliant display for Michael Carrick’s side this term.
READ ALSO:EPL: Chelsea Winger, Mudryk Banned For Four Years After Failing Drug Test
Speaking on the development, Casemiro told ESPN Brasil, “There is no chance [for me to stay one more year].
“It is leaving through the front door. It has been four wonderful years, and I am eternally grateful not only to the club but to the fans.
“I think it is over. The cycle has ended here. I am moving on to a new chapter in my career.”
Sports
EPL: Rooney Names Team To Win Title
Former Manchester United striker, Wayne Rooney, has said Arsenal will go on to win the Premier League title, after Manchester City dropped points against Everton.
City were held to a 3-3 draw at the Hill Dickinson Stadium on Monday night.
The result means Pep Guardiola’s men are now five points behind Arsenal, but they have one game in hand.
READ ALSO:EPL: Chelsea Winger, Mudryk Banned For Four Years After Failing Drug Test
Rooney believes the Gunners will beat West Ham this weekend and go on to be champions.
He said on BBC Sport: “No, I’m concerned for West Ham. I just think Arsenal are efficient and professional.
“I just think they will win every game. So obviously, with the result tonight, that means they will win the league.”
Sports
UCL, EPL: Petr Cech Advises Chelsea On How To Win Trophies
Chelsea legend, Petr Cech, has advised his old club on how to win the UEFA Champions League or the English Premier League.
Chelsea are already out of the Premier League title race this season, and they are at risk of missing out on UEFA Champions League qualification for next season because they are currently not in the ninth position on the Premier League table.
Speaking to The Athletic about Chelsea, Cech said that the Blues need to change their philosophy of signing only young players if they want to win the Premier League or Champions League.
READ ALSO:EPL: Guardiola Reveals Only Chance Man City Will Win Title Ahead Of Arsenal
According to the former goalkeeper, the Premier League west London club needs to add experienced players to mentor the young players in the squad.
“You have to look at what you want to achieve. You can have young, talented players, and you can win, but it’s very rare that you manage to do that,” he said.
“If you want to win every season and compete every season, that does not go together.
READ ALSO:EPL: Arsenal In Shock Move To Sign Kvaratskhelia From PSG
“You have to change your philosophy. Certain things don’t go together because, in order to win a Champions League or a Premier League… these are really tough competitions, and you have to be consistent.
“You need to have a strong core of the team. And then you can bring young, talented players who will grow faster and then will be held by the experienced players to help navigate them through difficult times when they come.”
Currently, Chelsea have just one player, Tosin Adarabioyo, who is over 28 this season, and the defender has not been playing regularly.
-
Politics4 days ago
2027: Tinubu’s Re-election May Put An End To Nigeria — Baba Ahmed Warns
-
Business4 days ago
JUST IN: Nigerian Filling Stations Reduce Fuel Price After Hike
-
Politics5 days ago
BREAKING: 2027: Former Adamawa APC Guber Candidate, Aishatu Binani Defects To NDC
-
Entertainment5 days ago
Actress Eniola Badmus Gets New Federal Appointment
-
News4 days ago
2027: Pastor Adeboye Speaks On Nigeria’s Next President
-
News2 days ago
BREAKING: Wike Picks Alabo George For Rivers Governorship
-
Politics4 days ago
NDC Speaks On Peter Obi, Kwankwaso Joining Party
-
News3 days ago
OPINION: Why South Africans Murder Nigerians In Cold Blood
-
Politics2 days ago
JUST IN: Why I left ADC For NDC With Kwankwaso – Peter Obi Opens Up
-
Business2 days ago
Why We Sited Our Multi-Billion Naira Automobile Firm Branch in Benin – Skyewise Group CEO