Sports
Arsenal’s top coach not happy over Bukayo Saka’s injury
Arsenal’s coach Mikel Arteta admitted he was “pretty worried” over an injury suffered by star winger Bukayo Saka in Saturday’s 5-1 win over Crystal Palace.
Saka, who was forced off midway through the first half, was seen on crutches leaving Selhurst Park after a game which saw the Gunners move to within three points of Premier League leaders Liverpool.
“He (Saka) felt something in his hamstring,” Arteta said.
“He couldn’t continue. He will have to be assessed, so I’m pretty worried about that one.
“It’s very difficult to give a prognosis now. They have tested him inside but it’s very difficult to say how bad it is.”
He added: “Unfortunately with the amount of games that we are playing, every three days with this schedule, it doesn’t surprise me, but the team will react to that.”
Arsenal next face struggling Ipswich on Friday, Brentford on New Year’s Day and Brighton just three days later in the holiday fixture programme.
Sports
Transfer: Peter Cech speaks on new Tottenham signing
Petr Cech, a legend at Chelsea, believes that his countryman Antonin Kinsky would excel at Tottenham Hotspur.
The teenage goalie recently moved permanently from Slavia Prague to the north London team. Over the weekend, Kinsky paid £12.5 million to sign with Spurs.
In the upcoming weeks, the 21-year-old will probably start for the Premier League team before Fraser Forster and Brandon Austin, the other goalkeepers.
Cech, who plays ice hockey today and is considered one of the best goalkeepers of all time, recently opened out about the 21-year-old goalie in an interview with The Playbook House.
“I wouldn’t worry about him being at a disadvantage because of his younger age. When we look at the Premier League, it’s not uncommon to come across players who are maybe 17 years old. When they [players] have something to give to the team, they just play. So, I think with Antonin, it will be all about his performance,” he said.
“I am very happy that he got the opportunity. Tottenham are a traditional club that regularly fights for the UEFA Champions League,” he added. “I believe that he will do well and that the club will suit him. The role in the team should suit him because the head coach wants the goalkeepers to play with their feet, which is his great asset.”
Sports
Real Madrid hammer Minera 5-0 to hit Copa del rei last 16
Real Madrid sailed through to the Copa del Rey last 16 with a comfortable 5-0 victory at fourth-tier minnows Deportivo Minera on Monday.
Federico Valverde, Eduardo Camavinga, Arda Guler struck in the first half for the dominant Spanish champions.
Veteran Luka Modric netted the fourth before Guler tapped in his second to round off the rout.
Coach Carlo Ancelotti rested several key players ahead of the Spanish Super Cup starting in Saudi Arabia later this week, with Kylian Mbappe and Vinicius Junior only appearing as second-half substitutes.
Valverde volleyed home at the back post early on to help Madrid take control and Camavinga doubled the lead after 13 minutes with a header.
Endrick came close to adding a third for Los Blancos before Guler pounced with the aid of a deflection after cutting in from the right.
Brahim Diaz hit the post early in the second half before 39-year-old midfielder Modric notched with a neat curling effort.
Guler finished with ease at the death after Fran Garcia teed him up to cap a fine night for the Turkish playmaker.
On Saturday Barcelona and Atletico Madrid also eased into the next round, while holders Athletic Bilbao scraped through on penalties against third-tier Logrones.
The draw for the next round takes place on Wednesday, with the fixtures due to take place between January 14-16.
AFP
Sports
Former Brazilian Football Star Marries ex-Wife’s Niece
Ex- Brazil international Hulk has tied the knot with Camila Angelo, his ex-wife’s niece, in a religious ceremony on Friday, 3 January, 2025,
The couple had already formalised their union in a civil ceremony in 2020.
An ecstatic Hulk expressed his joy on Instagram as he shared photos from his wedding, writing, “Before God and the promises of our love, we unite in one heart, beginning our eternity together, life! I love you.”
The wedding took place in Hulk’s hometown of Campina Grande at The Diocesan Cathedral of Our Lady of the Conception, which was adorned with a sea of white roses. A grand reception is planned for January 7 at a luxury resort in João Pessoa, involving 500 professionals, including chefs, floral designers, and lighting technicians.
Hulk was previously married to Iran Angelo, Camila’s aunt, for 12 years. Their marriage, which ended in 2019, produced three children: sons Ian and Tiago, and a daughter, Alice.
The relationship between Hulk and Camila became public in December 2019, just months after his split from Iran. The couple married in September 2020, and in 2021, they welcomed their first child, Zaya, followed by their second child, Aisha, in 2023.
The relationship has drawn criticism from Camila’s family and a cross section of people following the scenario. Rayssa, one of Iran’s sisters, condemned the union on social media, writing, “Today is a hard day to swallow, a day that reveals how far betrayal can go when it comes from the people we least expect. If my mother were alive, I am sure she would not be able to bear such monstrosity.”
-
News22 hours ago
Just in: Boko Haram launch attack against military base, k!ll soldiers
-
News19 hours ago
SAD ! Sokoto SSG loses daughter, three grandchildren to fire outbreak
-
News23 hours ago
Just in: Unidentified Gunmen K!ll APC Chieftain in Ondo
-
News23 hours ago
WAEC to now allow students resit failed subjects
-
News20 hours ago
Reps to Pass 2025 Budget by January Ending, Commences Defence Tuesday, January 7
-
News13 hours ago
My life now under heavy threat after my new year message – Obi alleges
-
Metro9 hours ago
SAD: Five siblings pass away in auto crash after condolence visit
-
Metro9 hours ago
Police personnel dies few days after converting to Islam