Sports
Arsene Wenger reveals timing of Arsenal resignation ‘not his decision’
Arsene Wenger insisted that it was “not his decision” to announce his departure.
Wenger will take charge of his last European game as Arsenal manager at the Emirates tomorrow night before leaving in the summer.
Arsenal boss Wenger is understood to have jumped before being pushed as he knew the end was coming at the end of the season.
But Wenger could not resist a little hint that he did not want to go or for it to come out in this manner ahead of the Europa League semi-final with Atletico Madrid.
Wenger said: “The timing was not really my decision and for the rest, I have spoken about it already.”
Wenger was then asked what he felt about all the emotional “Merci Arsene” banners just weeks after “Wenger Out” banners were being displayed.
“When people are unhappy, it isn’t always a majority,” said Wenger. “We live in an emotional society where people can express how they feel.
“I want to win and continue to do what I have done my whole life. The next game is in Europe and then we face (Manchester) United.
“I want to win those games. Is there a perfect goodbye? I don’t know. I want to do as well as I can. We have been challenged mentally and I have seen my players respond.
“This group of players deserve something special and I want to do it for them and achieve it with them. My biggest satisfaction would be to be successful with the players I have.
“A Champions League place is at stake, for us. These are two teams that are used to be playing in the Champions League.”
Wenger also defended his record in Europe despite losing two finals – the UEFA Cup in 2000 and the Champions League in 2006 – and claimed that Arsenal are potentially only TWO players away from winning the title next season.
Wenger said: “This team has quality. Three years ago we finished second, last year we won the FA Cup. This season we were in the League Cup final and in the semi-finals. I am convinced in the future, with two or three additions, we can fight for the title.
“If I can add that to what I have done, I will be very happy. We have to put a performance in on the pitch. We face a very strong team, the toughest opponent in this competition. We must focus on the quality of our performance. It is a Champions League night.
“My pride has always been to give my best until the last day of my contract. At the moment, I am not ready to commit to anything.”
Wenger held up beating Real Madrid on the way to the final in 2006 as one of his European highlights. “There are many (highlights),” said Wenger.
“I played over 200 games for Arsenal in Europe. It is difficult to think of one. Maybe when we knocked Real Madrid out – when they had Ronaldo, Zidane, Figo.
“We went to the final without conceding a goal, knocked out Juventus. We got to the final and unfortunately lost with 10 men.”
Wenger also said he has a “high opinion” of Luis Enrique – a potential successor – but also insisted he will carry on working.
Wenger added: “I have a high opinion of him. But I don’t want to influence the job for the next manager.
“I don’t know what I will do. I will continue to work. Will I take a rest? I don’t know.”
Victor Osimhen has been named the 2023 African Footballer of the Year, cementing his status as one of the world’s top players.
Osimhen surpassed competition from Morocco’s Achraf Hakimi and Egyptian forward Mohamed Salah for the prestigious award.
The Super Eagles forward concluded a remarkable year in the imperial Moroccan city of Marakesh, ending Nigeria’s 24-year wait for Africa’s top individual prize, last won by legendary Kanu Nwankwo in 1999.
During the event, Osimhen expressed gratitude, acknowledging the impact of Nigerian legend Emmanuel Amuneke, who coached him at the U-17 level, and the support from fans and fellow players.
“It’s a dream come true for me. I want to thank everyone who has seen me through life’s journey, in achieving my dreams and goals. I appreciate Nigerians and Africa for their unwavering support and encouragement,” he said.
Osimhen recognised the influence of Emmanuel Adebayo, Solomon Kalu, and other African legends, expressing gratitude to his role model, Didier Drogba.
The award reflects Osimhen’s outstanding performances with Napoli, where he played a pivotal role in their Serie A title run, scoring 26 league goals and becoming the first African to win the top scorer award, breaking George Weah’s record in the Italian top-flight.”
Lionel Messi, the renowned Argentine football icon, clinched the coveted 2023 Ballon d’Or, setting a new record for the 2022 World Cup champion.
In a glamorous event held in Paris, Messi, who now plays for Inter Miami, received the prestigious award on Monday night. This achievement is widely seen as a well-deserved recognition for his pivotal role in guiding the Abiscelete to World Cup victory in the previous year.
Aged 36, Messi succeeded Karim Benzema as the recipient of this award, which acknowledges his exceptional performances during the last season when he inspired Argentina to triumph at the World Cup.
His remarkable displays in Qatar, where he led his nation to a historic victory, enabled him to surpass strong competition, notably from Kylian Mbappe and Erling Haaland. Haaland secured the second spot in the final voting, with Mbappe finishing third and Kevin De Bruyne taking fourth place.
Messi, a former Barcelona superstar, left an indelible mark at the World Cup, scoring seven crucial goals. His exceptional performance led to him being named the tournament’s best player, especially after Argentina’s victory over France in the final.
While Messi’s World Cup heroics were undeniable, his final season with Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) was relatively lackluster. Subsequently, he made a move to Inter Miami in Major League Soccer.
His former PSG teammate, Mbappe, made a strong case for the Ballon d’Or with his outstanding World Cup performance, finishing as the tournament’s top scorer with eight goals, including a memorable hat-trick in the final for France.
Norwegian striker Erling Haaland had a remarkable season, scoring an incredible 52 goals in 53 games for Manchester City. This stellar performance played a pivotal role in helping Pep Guardiola’s team secure a historic treble in the English Premier League, FA Cup, and Champions League.
Both Haaland and De Bruyne were nominated for the Ballon d’Or from their exceptional contributions to the success of Manchester City.
Juventus and France midfielder Paul Pogba’s ‘B’ sample has confirmed the presence of testosterone, a source close to the case told AFP on Friday.
The 30-year-old former Manchester United player, a World Cup winner in 2018, faces a ban of up to four years.
The original test by the Italian anti-doping agency (Nado) showed the presence of testosterone metabolites.
On Friday, Pogba learned that the analysis of his B sample, carried out on the previous day, had produced the same result.
The player’s entourage declined to comment.
Under the World Anti-Doping Code, Pogba is liable to a four-year suspension, which could be halved if he proves that he was not at fault.
The ban could even be limited to a few months if the use of the substance took place “out of competition and is not related to his level of performance”.
Pogba’s representatives said last month that the testosterone came from a food supplement prescribed by a doctor he consulted in the United States.
Testosterone promotes muscle development.
Contacted by AFP, Nado was unable to confirm this information “due to a decision by the Italian privacy authority”.
Pogba has seven days to submit his defence to Italy’s National Anti-Doping Tribunal, which will investigate his case and request a sanction, a process that could take several weeks.
In addition to the proceedings of the Italian sports justice system, a judicial investigation will be opened by the Turin public prosecutor’s office, as doping is a criminal offence in Italy.
Since the announcement of his positive test, Pogba has been unable to train with Juventus, the club to which he returned in July 2022 after six seasons with United.
The announcement came shortly before Juve coach Massimiliano Allegri’s press conference on the eve of the Turin derby against Torino, at which he simply said he was “sorry for Paul”.
Contacted by AFP, the club, which has also suspended payment of his estimated annual salary of 8 million euros (8.4 million dollars), did not respond.
Pogba started the season attempting to bounce back from string of injuries last season and from summer surgery.
His sample was reportedly taken at his club’s opening match of the Serie A season, a win at Udinese on August 20, during which he was an unused substitute.
After the first sample tested positive on September 11, Pogba’s agent Rafaela Pimenta said she was “awaiting the second sample and cannot have an opinion before the results”.
“What is certain is that Paul Pogba never wanted to break a rule,” she added.
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