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Nigeria to lose Commonwealth Games gold medal after female athlete fails drug test

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A member of the quartet that won gold for Nigeria in the 2022 Commonwealth Games 4×100 relay, has gailed a doping test.

This could lead to Nigeria losing the gold medal won in the event.

Tobi Amusan, Rosemary Chukwuma, Favour Ofili and Grace Nwokocha were the four sprinters that ran the race.

The Athletics Federation of Nigeria (AFN) had been notified of the development by the World Anti-Doping Agency, with the confirmation of the B sample is still being awaited.

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As a rule, the team would be stripped of the medal and the performance, if the athlete is not exonerated.

However, the identity of the athlete is being kept under wraps for now, until investigations are concluded.

 

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Arteta admits Arsenal’s title hopes are out of their hands after Chelsea draw

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Mikel Arteta, Arsenal, Premier League title race, Chelsea draw, Gabriel Martinelli, Pedro Neto, Liverpool, Manchester City, football news

Mikel Arteta acknowledges that Arsenal’s hopes of winning the Premier League this season are beyond their control after a 1-1 draw with Chelsea left them 9 points behind the leaders.

 

 

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has conceded that his team’s chances of winning the Premier League title this season are now out of their hands, following a frustrating 1-1 draw with Chelsea at Stamford Bridge on Sunday.

Gabriel Martinelli put Arsenal in the lead, but Pedro Neto’s equaliser for Chelsea saw the points shared, leaving the Gunners in fourth place and nine points adrift of league leaders Liverpool.

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Also read: Arteta confident Arsenal can end winless streak in crucial Chelsea clash

 

The draw added to Arteta’s woes, as Arsenal are also behind Chelsea and Manchester City in the standings. Despite the setback, Arteta remains focused on ensuring his squad remains fit and ready for the challenges ahead.

When asked about the club’s title race aspirations during his post-match interview, Arteta admitted, “There’s nothing that we can do about that. What I’m praying is that we have the team fully physically equipped

. It’s been a nightmare. So I’m just asking that because the desire and how much we want it, there’s no question.”

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Arsenal’s injury concerns have been well-documented, and Arteta has been vocal about his desire to have a fully fit squad for the remainder of the campaign.

However, with their chances of securing the title now looking slim, the focus will likely shift to maintaining a strong position in the top four and securing a place in next season’s Champions League.

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As the season progresses, Arteta will be hoping for a strong finish, but Arsenal will need other teams to slip up if they are to have any hope of mounting a title challenge in the closing stages of the campaign.

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Arteta confident Arsenal can end winless streak in crucial Chelsea clash

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Arsenal vs Chelsea preview

Arteta expects Arsenal to end their winless run in Sunday’s clash with Chelsea, backed by the squad’s renewed hunger for a Premier League victory.

 

 

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta remains confident that his team can bounce back in Sunday’s pivotal clash against Chelsea, following a challenging run of games.

Despite going without a win in their last three Premier League matches and facing setbacks across competitions, Arteta believes his players’ determination could spark a turnaround at Stamford Bridge.

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Also read: Guardiola bans player discussions with referees following Arsenal match

 

The Gunners, who were edged out by Inter Milan 1-0 in Wednesday’s Champions League encounter and narrowly defeated by Newcastle last weekend, are eager to return to winning form.

Although Arsenal had high hopes for a title challenge this season, a poor spell has left them trailing league leaders Liverpool by seven points.

Arteta, however, is confident that his players have the desire to overcome these recent struggles. “When you don’t win, it affects the mood and energy, but today I had a meeting with them. I sensed right away that they’re hungry and want to work hard. They’re a joy to work with,” Arteta told reporters on Friday.

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Chelsea currently hold the fourth position, one spot above Arsenal in fifth. Another loss this weekend would dent Arsenal’s hopes of winning their first Premier League title since 2004.

The Gunners’ captain, Martin Odegaard, has been sidelined with an ankle injury since September, compounding Arsenal’s recent difficulties.

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Despite only returning as a late substitute against Inter, Arteta hinted that Odegaard might start against Chelsea, saying, “Having Martin back is a big boost. He’s been incredibly important, and hopefully, he can impact the team.”

Additionally, Arsenal have been affected by recent suspensions for Declan Rice, William Saliba, and Leandro Trossard.

Arteta acknowledged the impact of these challenges but stressed that the solution to their struggles is within reach. “The problem is identifiable and resolvable,” he said, adding that he’s confident in the team’s overall improvement.

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“Watching the Inter match back twice, I’ve never seen my team perform like that. The margins are small, but we’re performing ten times better than last season.”

Despite the setbacks, Arteta remains optimistic. “There’s nobody inside or outside this building who wants to win more than I do,” he remarked.

With Odegaard’s return and a hungry squad ready to push forward, Arteta believes Arsenal are well-positioned to claw back into contention.

Sunday’s clash at Stamford Bridge will be crucial for Arsenal, not only to secure points but also to regain their momentum and revive their hopes of staying in the title race.

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Real Madrid target Ademola Lookman as potential replacement for Vinicius Junior

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Real Madrid target Ademola Lookman, Vinicius Junior replacement, Lookman Atalanta, UEFA Champions League, Nigerian winger

Real Madrid eyes Ademola Lookman as a potential replacement for Vinicius Junior, with the Atalanta star impressing in both Serie A and Europe.

 

Spanish football giants Real Madrid have reportedly set their sights on Nigerian winger Ademola Lookman, as a potential replacement for Vinicius Junior, whose future at the club remains uncertain.

The UEFA Champions League holders are keen on bringing the 27-year-old to the Santiago Bernabéu following his impressive form at Atalanta in Serie A.

 

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Also read: Ademola Lookman represents Africa at Ballon d’Or ceremony

 

Lookman, who joined Atalanta from RB Leipzig in 2022 for a fee of €9.35 million plus bonuses, has enjoyed a stellar run, accumulating 39 goals and 23 assists in 90 competitive appearances for the Italian side.

His contributions this season remain exceptional, with seven goals and five assists from 12 appearances, showing no signs of slowing down.

Real Madrid’s interest in the Nigerian comes amid speculation that Vinicius Junior could be on his way out of the club.

Reports suggest that Saudi Arabian club Al-Hilal are preparing a record-breaking €300 million bid for the Brazilian star, potentially eclipsing Neymar’s €222 million move to Paris Saint-Germain in 2017.

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With Vinicius’ future uncertain, Madrid have reportedly turned to Lookman as a prime candidate to fill the void in their attack.

Lookman’s versatility on the wings, his blistering pace, and impressive dribbling skills make him an ideal fit for Carlo Ancelotti’s tactical approach.

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His ability to create chances and link up with teammates would complement Madrid’s attacking play, providing a potent threat in one-on-one situations.

The Nigerian’s performances over the past year, including a stunning hat-trick in the UEFA Europa League final against Bayer Leverkusen, have made him a hot commodity in European football.

Lookman was also on the verge of joining Paris Saint-Germain in the summer transfer window, with a personal agreement reportedly already in place.

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However, Atalanta managed to keep hold of him for now, though a move could be imminent with top clubs like Real Madrid circling.

Atalanta’s star forward is currently valued at €60 million, a sum Real Madrid can comfortably afford. Lookman’s impressive rise has also earned him recognition on the global stage, as he was ranked 14th in the Ballon d’Or ceremony and is considered a favourite to win the 2024 CAF Men’s Player of the Year award.

With the situation surrounding Vinicius Junior’s potential departure still unfolding, Real Madrid are prepared to move swiftly in their pursuit of Lookman, securing a talented winger capable of strengthening their squad and continuing their dominance on both domestic and European fronts.

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