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Arsene Wenger reveals Arsenal aren’t close to any more transfers

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ARSENE WENGER says Arsenal aren’t close to any transfers because they “signed a Greek boy”.

The Gunners boss added that he “looks good in training” after the 4-2 FA Cup shock at Nottingham Forest.

 Arsene Wenger refused to talk about Nottingham Forest's controversial 'double-kick' penalty

AFP: Arsene Wenger refused to talk about Nottingham Forest’s controversial ‘double-kick’ penalty
 Konstantinos Mavropanos has joined the Gunners - but is set to be loaned out straight away

GETTY: Konstantinos Mavropanos has joined the Gunners – but is set to be loaned out straight away

Wenger was referring to 20-year-old Konstantinos Mavropanos, who joined on from PAS Giannina a few days ago.

He said: “No. I can’t give you any news on any transfer because we are not close to signing anyone.

“We signed a Greek boy, who looks quite good in training. But apart from that we are not on anything.”

The Gunners boss also refused to discuss Nottingham Forest’s “double-kick” penaltyafter his side were dumped out of the FA Cup.

 Nottingham Forest striker Kieran Dowell appeared to 'double-kick' the penalty

BT SPORT: Nottingham Forest striker Kieran Dowell appeared to ‘double-kick’ the penalty
 Arsenal players were furious about the referee awarding the goal to Nottingham Forest

BT SPORT: Arsenal players were furious about the referee awarding the goal to Nottingham Forest

The defending champs fell to a 4-2 defeat at the City Ground on a miserable day for the Gunners, heightened by a spot-kick scored that should not have stood.

Everton loanee Kieran Dowell slipped as he ran up, with the ball hitting hit right foot after being kicked with his left.

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It looped the opposite way to where he was aiming, beating David Ospina in the Arsenal goal to make it 4-2 and game over.

Wenger was watching the game from stands as he serves a three-match ban after admitting “abusive behaviour” towards referee Mike Dean after being furious at conceding an 89th-minute penalty in the Premier League draw with West Brom.

And in their last Premier League match against Chelsea, a 2-2 draw, the Frenchman was seething at Eden Hazard winning a penalty following a challenge from Hector Bellerin.

But after today’s demoralising defeat, Wenger refused to talk about Forest’s penalty.

Speaking after the game he said: “I don’t want to talk about that anymore, I’m a bit tired of that.

“We have to respond quickly on Wednesday we have a big game, focus on that one, semi-final for the league cup, we have to respond quickly.

 The Gunners boss was forced to watch the FA Cup shocker from the stands at the City Ground

GETTY IMAGES – GETTY: The Gunners boss was forced to watch the FA Cup shocker from the stands at the City Ground
 But it was not happy watching for the French boss as Arsenal lost their grip on the FA Cup

AFP OR LICENSORS: But it was not happy watching for the French boss as Arsenal lost their grip on the FA Cup

“You never put disappointment behind you, the only thing that can help is to focus on the next game.

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“We have won the FA Cup three times in four years, it’s a competition we love.”

Eric Lichaj had put Forest into an early lead before Per Mertesacker levelled the game just three minutes later.

But Lichaj, once of Aston Villa, volleyed in a sublime 25-yarder for 2-1 a minute before half-time.

Ben Brereton scored from the penalty spot in the second half after a clumsy challenge from Calum Chambers for 3-1, but Danny Welbeck bundled home for the Gunners to bring them to within a goal.

But five minutes from time ex-Arsenal defender Armand Traore was fouled in the box by Mathieu Debuchy, and Dowell stepped up to fire home, controversially.

Wenger was, however, honest in his assessment of how the game went.

He added: “I believe that overall we played against a Nottingham team who were sharp and dominated us from the front.

“We were a bit unlucky, but overall they were sharper and more dominant in the challenges, we lost too many challenges.”

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Osimhen Crowned 2023 CAF Footballer of the Year

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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.”

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Lionel Messi Secures Historic 8th Ballon d’Or Triumph

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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.

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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.

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“B Sample Reveals Presence of Testosterone in Pogba’s Test Results”

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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.

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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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