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Gunners Are Like A ‘Sinking Ship’ Under Emery – Former Defender

Published

3 years ago

November 26, 2019

Former Arsenal defender Martin Keown believes the club is a ‘sinking ship’ under current coach Unai Emery, following Saturday’s home draw against Southampton.

The Gunners were set for an embarrassing defeat to the Saints at the Emirates until Alexandre Lacazette popped up in the 96th minute to equalize.

With the team sitting eighth on the Premier League table, eight points adrift of fourth-placed Chelsea, Keown feels as if the decision to appoint Emery was a mistake.

“This season only Aston Villa and Norwich have allowed more shots against them in total than Unai Emery’s side. Alarm bells must be ringing at Arsenal.

“This is currently a sinking ship and the fans made their feelings known at full time. “In 1996 David Dein brought in Arsene Wenger and finding his successor after 22 years at the helm was a huge task.

“They gave the job to Emery but that is beginning to look like it was the wrong move. Now the decision-makers at Arsenal have another big call to make: do they stick with Emery or look elsewhere?”

Arsenal went behind in the eighth minute to the Saints after Danny Ings’ strike but managed to equalize through Lacazette shortly after.

James Ward-Prowse gave Southampton another lead in the 71st minute and it looked like all three points was heading south until Lacazette once again popped up in deep into stoppage time.

With the Saints’ poor form of late, Keown slammed Arsenal’s performance and suggested it might actually be Emery’s team in crisis. “Southampton have not won any of their last eight Premier League games and lost 9-0 to Leicester,” Keown said.

“Yet, at the Emirates Stadium on Saturday, it was hard to tell which was the team more in crisis. “Southampton looked better than Arsenal, Ralph Hasenhuttl’s men had 21 shots to the hosts’ 12.”

Keown suggested that star Gunners players wouldn’t renew their contracts if the current malaise continued and questioned David Luiz’s position in the side. “If they decide to stick with Emery then the manager has big decisions to make himself,” he said.

“I warned against Arsenal signing David Luiz in August and I wonder if he should be taken out of the team now. “Certainly star players like Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Lacazette will not be signing extensions unless things change.”

Arsenal can seal Europa League knockout qualification with a win over Eintracht Frankfurt at home on Thursday before they face lowly Norwich City away on Sunday.

Source: Goal.com

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Wike/Dokpesi Faceoff Deepens As AIT/Ray Power Port Harcourt Station Receives Demolition Notice

Published

34 mins ago

March 23, 2023

Editor

Rivers State Government has issued Daar Communications, owners of African Independent Television/Ray Power notice to vacate the land housing it’s Port Harcourt transmission station or have it demolished within 48 hours.

The development is believed to be induced by lingering political feud between Governor Nyesom Wike and Daar Communications owner, High Chief Raymond Dokpesi, but the governor has maintained AIT/Ray Power has no title to the expansive premises it occupies in the Rivers state capital city and the eviction order has no political undertone.

The latest eviction notice was issued 20 March 2023 by the Permanent Secretary, Rivers Ministry of Works, Mrs Ebere Dennis-Emenike, “To Whom It May Concern” and titled “Proposed GRA Phase 5 Ozuoba, Port Harcourt Demolition Notice”.

It reads, “Following the imminent commencement of the above project, all structure(s) impacting on the right-of-way of the project have been earmarked for demolition including your own. Consequently, you are by this notice requested to remove such structure(s) within forty eight (48) hours to allow for speedy progress of work.”

On intervention, the Nigerian Union of Journalist (NUJ) has urged the state government to rescind the decision to demolition the transmission station of Daar Communications.

NUJ Rivers State Council, in a statement signed by Stanley Job, Chairman and Ike Wigodo, Secretary, appealed to the state government embrace dialogue with the media organization for mutual resolution of the dispute.

NUJ statement reads, “We appeal to the Rivers State Government to review the quit notice given to Daar Communications Plc, owners of AIT and Raypower Radio Station. The Press and the Rivers State Government have come a long way as partners in progress.

“We believe proper negotiation and peaceful resolution of the land dispute will serve the Government and people of Rivers better. Whatever the merit of the quit notice, we would not want the world to see the Press in a fight with the Rivers State in view of the long standing mutual relationship.

“NUJ will not be happy to see a Media House in Rivers State demolished over a land dispute that can be resolved peacefully and amicably”

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Buhari Redesignates State House Clinic Into Medical Clinics

Published

13 hours ago

March 22, 2023

Editor

President Muhammadu Buhari has approved the re-designation of the State House Clinic back to the Medical Centre.

Permanent Secretary of State House, Tijjani Umar, disclosed this on Wednesday in Abuja after a pre-commissioning inspection of the new Presidential (VIP) Wing of the State House Medical Centre.

The commissioning was done by Boss Mustapha, Secretary to the Government of the Federation, SGF.

“Now, with the improvement in the problem areas and the addition of the new VIP Wing with state-of-the-art facilities, we can no longer operate as a Clinic. It is now to operate as State House Medical Centre,” Umar said.

Umar disclosed that all is set for the President’s inauguration of the new world-class facility to add to this administration’s growing number of completed and commissioned legacy projects.

He added that the calibration, equipment testing and training of medical personnel are ongoing.

He said the presidency is determined to ensure that the Centre remains fully operational and well-maintained after the inauguration.

In 2019, Buhari had downgrounded the facility owing to infrastructural deficit.

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Ramadan: Buhari Sends Message To Muslims As Fasting Begins

Published

13 hours ago

March 22, 2023

Editor

President Muhammadu Buhari has sent greetings and best wishes to Muslims as they commence 30 days of Ramadan fasting.

Buhari urged Muslims to use the season “to project the best and finest virtues of Islam by personal conduct, and not precept.”

In a goodwill message to mark the beginning of the holy month of Ramadan, Buhari says “let us use this opportunity to put the best teachings of Islam into practice, such as kindness and the love of humanity.”

According to the President, “This is an occasion for deep reflection and greater fear of Allah and avoidance of all evils that harm humanity.

“Ramadan is characterised by abstention from food and drinks from dawn to dusk, which brings both the rich and poor to share the experience of hunger together, thereby strengthening the bonds between haves and have-nots.”

Buhari explained that “as we begin these 30 days fasting season, let us not forget that Ramadan is not only about abstention from eating and drinking, but it is a reminder to refrain from all kinds of evil and transgressions that harm humanity.

“I am particularly aware of the activities of traders who artificially increase the prices of their goods, including food at the beginning of every month of Ramadan. This kind of exploitation is against the spirit of the Ramadan and the spirit of Islam.”

Buhari added that “while we are observing this important occasion in the spiritual life of Muslims, let us share food and drinks with the less fortunate, because by sharing our blessings with others, Allah will multiply our rewards for good deeds.”