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Henrikh Mkhitaryan already broken an assist record at Arsenal – but says Mesut Ozil is real “king” in this area

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It was only last week that Henrikh Mkhitaryan was sat in the dugout at Old Trafford – not even on the bench – wondering where it had all gone wrong.

Jose Mourinho had decided he was surplus to requirements at Manchester United, are was planning to use him as bait to sign Alexis Sanchez.

The Chilean, who was desperate to leave Arsenal for the Red Devils, happily obliged, and Mkhitaryan travelled to London in a bid to revive his season.

Mkhitaryan made his debut for the Gunners in their 3-1 defeat to Swansea, coming off the bench in the sixth minute, but didn’t have enough time to settle.

Henrikh Mkhitaryan has hit the ground running at Arsenal (Image: REUTERS)

Against Everton on the weekend however, he was played from the beginning.

Not only this but he was joined on the pitch by Arsenal’s new star signing – £56million striker Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, who he just so happened to play alongside at Dortmund.

The two clicked almost immediately, and brimming with confidence Mkhitaryan set about setting up everyone on the pitch in a red shirt.

The Armenian was instrumental in the Gunners battering Everton (Image: Michael Regan)

Arsenal were 5-1 up against Everton when the referee called time on the fixture, and the Armenian had created a whopping three of the five goals.

In previous game weeks this season, such superstars as Christian Eriksen, Kevin De Bruyne, and David Silva have bagged themselves two assists.

Mkhitaryan assisted his Arsenal team-mates three times in the 5-1 victory (Image: Catherine Ivill)

But, according to Data courtesy of EA SPORTS, only Mkhitaryan has set three team-mates up to score in a game week this season, meaning it took him very little time to break a record at his new club.

Despite this feat, the modest Armenian is adamant that his Arsenal team-mate Mesut Ozil – who has seven Premier League assists, one less than Mkhitaryan – is still the real “king” in this department.

The midfielder has linked back up with Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang at Arsenal (Image: Arsenal FC via Getty Images)

Speaking to the Gunners’ official website when he signed, Mkhitaryan said: “Here at Arsenal I know that lots of players move a lot and it’s incredible the way the team plays. I will do my best to assist them as well.

“I think it will be really fun to play alongside Ozil. Everyone knows he’s a fantastic player, he’s an assist king.

Mkhitaryan considers Mesut Ozil to be the real assist “king” at the club (Image: CameraSport)

“His intelligence, the way that he can understand the game, reads the game, plus the way he gives pace to the game and of course his final decision.”

* Data Courtesy of EA SPORTS, the Lead Partner of the Premier League.

 

 

 

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German Coach, Labbadia Named New Head Coach of Super Eagles

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German tactician Bruno Labbadia

 

The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has confirmed the appointment of German tactician Bruno Labbadia as the new Head Coach of Nigeria’s Senior Men’s National Team, the Super Eagles.

This development was announced by the NFF General Secretary, Dr. Mohammed Sanusi, in the early hours of Tuesday, following the approval of the NFF Executive Committee based on a recommendation from its Technical and Development Sub-Committee. Labbadia’s appointment takes immediate effect.

Born on 8th February 1966 in Darmstadt, Germany, Labbadia enjoyed a distinguished playing career, earning two caps for the German national team. His club career included stints at prominent clubs such as Darmstadt 98, Hamburger SV, FC Kaiserslautern, Bayern Munich, FC Cologne, Werder Bremen, Arminia Bielefeld, and Karlsruher SC. Notably, he won the Bundesliga title with Bayern Munich in 1994.

Labbadia’s coaching career has seen him manage top-tier clubs such as Hertha Berlin, VfB Stuttgart, VfL Wolfsburg, Hamburger SV, and Bayer Leverkusen, among others. He holds a UEFA Pro License and is well-regarded for his tactical acumen.

With his appointment, Labbadia becomes the sixth German to lead the Super Eagles, following in the footsteps of Karl-Heinz Marotzke, Gottlieb Göller, Manfred Höner, Berti Vogts, and Gernot Rohr. Höner notably guided the Super Eagles to a runner-up finish at the 1988 Africa Cup of Nations, while Rohr qualified Nigeria for the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia.

Labbadia’s immediate task is to prepare the Super Eagles for their upcoming 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifying matches.

Nigeria will face Benin Republic on Saturday, 7th September in Uyo, and Rwanda on Tuesday, 10th September in Kigali. The team will also play four additional qualifying matches in October and November as they aim to secure a spot in the 2025 AFCON, scheduled to be held from December 21, 2025, to January 18, 2026.

The Super Eagles, placed in Group D, will face familiar foes Benin Republic, who recently defeated Nigeria in the 2026 World Cup qualifiers. The draw for the AFCON qualifiers, held in Johannesburg, South Africa, last month, also sees Nigeria taking on Libya and Rwanda, both of whom are also part of the Super Eagles’ group for the 2026 World Cup qualifiers set to be hosted in the USA, Canada, and Mexico.

Labbadia’s appointment comes at a crucial time as the Super Eagles look to regain their dominance on the African continent and secure qualification for both the AFCON and the World Cup.

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Finidi George Appointed as Technical Manager for Rivers United

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Finidi George has stepped into a new role as the technical manager for NPFL side, Rivers United, following his resignation as coach of the Super Eagles.

During his brief tenure with the Eagles, George’s 1-1 draw against South Africa in Uyo and a 2-1 loss to Benin Republic in Abidjan cast doubts on Nigeria’s World Cup qualification, prompting calls from fans for his dismissal.

South Africa vs Nigeria: Why we failed to defeat Super Eagles – Percy Tau

Nevertheless, Rivers United, the 2021-22 champions, expressed optimism in a statement on Wednesday via their official handle about having the former Eagles international manage their team.

“Finidi brings a wealth of experience and expertise to our team, having had a distinguished playing career spanning over fifteen years,” the statement read.

Kanu advocates for establishment of standard soccer academies

 

Dr. Okey Kpalukwu, General Manager of Rivers United FC, welcomed George, stating, “We are delighted to have Finidi George join our team. His appointment marks a new chapter in our club’s history, and we are committed to working together to achieve success.”

Expressing his gratitude to the club, an elated George remarked, “I am honored to have this opportunity, and I thank the Sports Commissioner, the General Manager, and the supporters for their confidence in me. I am committed to working hard and making the team win.”

 

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US Fund Oaktree ‘Takes Over Ownership’ Of Inter Milan

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Inter Milan’s Argentine forward #10 Lautaro Martinez lifts the trophy with teammates during a ceremony for the Italian Champions following the Italian Serie A football match between Inter Milan and Lazio in Milan, on May 19, 2024. Inter celebrates his 20th Scudetto. (Photo by Marco BERTORELLO / AFP)

Inter Milan were taken over by US fund Oaktree on Wednesday after the Serie A champions’ outgoing owners Suning missed a deadline to repay a debt worth hundred of millions of euros.

In a statement, Oaktree announced they had “assumed control” of Inter after the non-repayment of a “three-year loan to Inter Milan’s holding companies that matured on 21 May 2024 with a total balance due of approximately 395 million euros ($428 million)”.

Chinese conglomerate Suning have relinquished control of Inter to Oaktree three days after the team were officially crowned Italian champions for the 20th time.

Suning borrowed 275 million euros at over 12 percent interest three years ago to pay staff and players as the Covid-19 pandemic ravaged the finances of clubs across Europe, putting up their controlling stake in the club as collateral.

“Oaktree is dedicated to achieving the best outcome for the long-term prosperity of Inter Milan, with an initial focus on operational and financial stability for the Club and its stakeholders,” Oaktree continued.

Inter became a powerful force at home and abroad after Suning acquired the club in 2016, with seven trophies including two Serie A titles and two European finals.

Simone Inzaghi’s team cruised to this year’s championship, winning the Scudetto with five matches remaining by beating AC Milan in a thrilling local derby.

Oaktree, which manages $192 billion in assets, said they are “committed to working closely with Inter Milan’s current management team, partners, the league and governing bodies to ensure the Club is positioned for success on and off the pitch”.

Inter ended up in the hands of Oaktree in a manner similar to the way another US fund, Elliott Management, took control of their local rivals Milan in 2018.

Elliott became Milan’s owners when Chinese businessman Li Yonghong was unable to repay a loan he had taken out when he bought the club from the late Silvio Berlusconi’s Fininvest the previous year.

 

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