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Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang trains with his Arsenal team-mates for first time ahead of Everton match despite his illness
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang linked up with his new Arsenal team-mates on the training ground for the first time on Friday, ahead of the Gunners’ weekend clash with Everton.
The Gabon international, who Arsenal signed for £56million on deadline day, trained by himself at London Colney on Thursday, in a bid to get match fit for Saturday’s fixture.
Aubameyang could make his debut for the north London club against the Toffees, and link up with his former Dortmund team-mate Henrikh Mkhitaryan.
Ahead of the match, here are five questions that need to be answered.
1. Will Aubameyang be playing on Saturday?
We’ll start with the elephant in the room; will Arsenal’s new £56million signing make his debut at the Emirates, and perhaps more importantly, will he hit the ground running?
The fact the Gabon striker hit the training ground all by himself on Thursday, before doing it all again with his team-mates on Friday, suggests he will definitely be playing for the Gunners on Saturday.
But Wenger threw this into doubt in his press conference, when he announced that the player has been suffering with illness.
“Certainly Mkhitaryan will start,” said Wenger on Friday. “That’s a possibility, yes. Aubameyang, I have to assess how he is physically today and how well he feels.
“He had sickness, a fever. He couldn’t train a lot, he started yesterday. He was still not completely well so I have to assess and see with the medical department how well and how fit he can be.”
Whether he will start – or come off the bench – on Saturday remains a mystery, but it seems that regardless of what fate has in store for the 28-year-old, he is desperate to play.
2. Will Mkhitaryan and Aubameyang rekindle a partnership?
Another big question that Arsenal will be hoping is the case; will Mkhitaryan and Aubameyang get on like they did all those years ago at Dortmund?
Things have changed since then, of course, but there is no denying that the duo struck up a partnership in Germany, that worked to the Bundesliga giants’ favour on more than one occasion.
When asked the killer question on Friday, Wenger said: “I hope so, yes. They know each other well. We are an offensive team, hopefully they can recreate that understanding.”
Back in the 2015-2016 season Aubameyang found the back of the net 39 times while Mkhitaryan, who usually played a little deeper, scored 23.
If the duo can get anywhere near these figures at Arsenal then Gunners fans are in for a few treats from here until the end of the season.
One potential issue is that both players – who you’d think will be regulars in the first team – are attack-minded, which could leave Arsenal short at the back.
Speaking about this on Sky Sports, Gary Neville said: “Those four are so attacking I can’t think of a defensive mind among them. I watched Mkhitaryan at United, he doesn’t defend.
“Ozil, when he wants to he can, but he doesn’t really want to put it in defensively. They’re going to leave huge spaces.
“The situation poses Wenger a problem he will have to try and resolve on the training pitch. That is the problem – how do you fit all four in the same team?
“I’m not quite sure that will happen. It doesn’t look like a natural fit, so Arsene Wenger has got some big challenges on the training field to make those four into a unit that works.”
3. What does the future hold for Lacazette?
The France international promised the world when Arsenal spent £52million on him in the summer, making him the most expensive purchase in their history.
But just a few months later and Wenger – who of course was forced to react to losing Alexis Sanchez – delved into the transfer market once again and spent even more on Aubameyang.
The two players are similar in that they’re out-and-out forwards with plenty of pace and – when in form – have the ability to score goals for fun.
So you’d think Wenger will be looking to play one over the other, which doesn’t look good for the 26-year-old former Lyon forward.
What’s more Wenger refused to give the Frenchman any clarity over his future at the club in his Friday press conference, telling the media: “I don’t reassure people. We are in a competitive world.
“We have also chosen a job where there is competition, you have to fight for your place.”
4. What can we expect from Ozil?
For so long Mesut Ozil’s future has been up in the air; will he sign a new contract at Arsenal, will he return to Spain, will he join Manchester United?
The German put all the speculation, rumour, and nonsense to bed this week when he penned a new £350,000-a-week contract at the Emirates – much to the delight of Gunners supporters.
The deal will see him remain an Arsenal player until 2021, and means that the Gunners will enjoy the playmaker in his prime years.
So what now? Well, the German has previously been accused of ‘being lazy’ or ‘going missing’ in big games, which was used as apparent evidence that his mind was elsewhere and that he was going to leave.
This notion can no longer be thrown about, meaning fans will expect better and more consistent performances from the German.
Not only this but because he’s now being paid £350,000-a-week – making him the highest paid player at the club by some margin – the board will expect the same.
Wenger confirmed the pressure to perform is now definitely on Ozil’s shoulder on Friday, saying: “Many predicted he wouldn’t commit and not sign.
“It is good news for us – if you can keep a player of that calibre is of course good news.
“He has committed his future to the club at a period where we are in a tricky period. [Now] we expect him to take responsibility to lead the club to success.”
5. Will Cech bounce back against Everton?
The goalkeeper, who hasn’t been in the best of form for a while now, had a game to forget in Arsenal’s embarrassing 3-1 defeat to Swansea City last time out.
Against the Swans, Nacho Monreal threw the ball back to Shkodran Mustafi, who laid it back to a hurried Cech in the Arsenal goal.
The shot-stopper could only scuff his clearance though, and a grateful Jordan Ayew prodded the loose ball into the net.
To make matters worse, Arsenal have since been linked with a move for Atletico Madrid keeper Jan Oblak.
The Slovenian is widely regarded to be one of the best shot-stoppers in the world, and would command a hefty transfer fee.
But the Gunners have proved this January that they’re now willing to spend cash on transfer fees and pay large wages.
Cech needs to bounce back against Everton for the sake of his future at the club, or he might just find himself on the scrapheap come June.
Captain of the Super Falcons, Rasheedat Ajibade, has said the team is determined to become the best women’s football team in the world.
Ajibade spoke yesterday at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, during a reception hosted by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in honour of the Falcons following their victory at the 2024 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) in Morocco.
The Nigerian ladies clinched their 10th continental title after a hard-fought campaign, further cementing their status as Africa’s most successful women’s team.
Ajibade, in an emotional speech, said the team’s goal goes beyond continental glory.
“We’re not content to rest on our laurels. Our vision is bold. We want to become the best women’s football team in the world,” the Atletico Madrid star said.
She described herself as “a proud daughter of Nigeria” and paid tribute to the dreams of young girls across the country who look up to the team.
“This victory is not just a trophy. It is a testament to the unyielding spirit of Nigeria. It is a celebration of every young girl in our villages, towns, and cities who dares to dream,” she said.
Ajibade, who spoke on behalf of the team, coaches, and technical crew, thanked the Federal Government for its support and appealed for continued investment in women’s football.
President Tinubu, in his address, conferred national honours of Officer of the Order of the Niger (OON) on all 24 players and the 11-member technical crew.
The President also approved the allocation of three-bedroom apartments to each team member under the Renewed Hope Housing Scheme and a cash reward of the naira equivalent of $100,000 for each player, while members of the technical team received $50,000 each.
He praised the Falcons for lifting the nation’s spirit and inspiring unity through their performance.
“You have inspired millions, especially young girls who now see proof that their dreams are valid and achievable,” Tinubu said.
“You have inspired me too. You represent the hope of today, tomorrow, and the day after. You ignited that hope. And we will continue to encourage you and the next generation.”
The President said the Falcons’ WAFCON victory was not just a sporting feat but a symbol of the courage, discipline and resilience that define Nigerians.
“Your victory represents more than a sporting accomplishment. It is a triumph of courage, determination, discipline, and consistency,” he said.
The reception was attended by top government officials, sports administrators, and stakeholders in the football community.
A member of the House of Representatives, Hon. Aderemi Oseni, has congratulated the Super Falcons on their historic 3-2 comeback victory over hosts Morocco in the final of the 2025 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations on Saturday.
The Falcons, who came from two goals down to seal the win in Rabat, clinched their 10th WAFCON title—further cementing their status as the most successful team in the history of the competition. Reacting to the victory, Oseni described the performance as “a warrior’s triumph that speaks volumes about the indomitable Nigerian spirit.”
In a statement issued by his media aide, Idowu Ayodele in Ibadan, the lawmaker representing Ibarapa East/Ido Federal Constituency said the team’s resilience should serve as a symbol of hope and unity for the entire nation. “They refused to surrender. That comeback from two goals down defines who we are as Nigerians—strong, focused, and unstoppable when united,” he said.
The Falcons had gone behind in the 13th minute when Morocco’s Ghizlane Chebbak capitalised on a loose ball to fire past goalkeeper Chiamaka Nnadozie. The hosts doubled their lead through Sanaâ Mssoudy before halftime, putting Nigeria on the back foot before the break.
However, second-half goals from Esther Okoronkwo, Folashade Ijamilusi, and Jennifer Echegini turned the game on its head, securing victory for Coach Justin Madugu’s side and avenging their 2024 semi-final loss to the North Africans. Oseni also hailed Madugu’s tactical brilliance, describing him as “the architect of a new chapter in women’s football in Nigeria.”
The lawmaker who also chairs the House Committee on Federal Roads Maintenance Agency (FERMA) joined other national figures, including President Bola Tinubu and First Lady Oluremi Tinubu, in celebrating the Falcons. The President had earlier taken to his verified social media accounts to praise the team’s performance, declaring, “Mission X: Complete!” while Sanwo-Olu, Governor of Lagos, described it as a flawless display of Nigerian spirit.
Oseni urged the Falcons not to rest on their laurels but to build on the momentum ahead of their title defence and the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup. “This is just the beginning. You have inspired millions of girls across the continent. Keep flying the flag and keep making Nigeria proud,” he added.
He also called on sports authorities and private stakeholders to invest more in women’s football, noting that the team’s success was proof of the untapped potential in the sector. “We have global stars in the making. Now is the time to give them the platform and support they truly deserve,” the lawmaker submitted.
Nigeria’s Super Falcons produced a thrilling comeback to defeat hosts Morocco 3-2 in the final of the 2025 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) on Saturday, clinching their record-extending 10th continental title.
The win was sweet revenge for Justin Madugu’s side, who were eliminated by the Atlas Lionesses in the semi-finals of the previous edition.
Despite a bright start by the Falcons, it was the Moroccans who struck first in the 13th minute. A loose ball fell kindly to tournament top scorer, Ghizlane Chebbak, who rifled her effort past Chiamaka Nnadozie to hand the hosts an early lead.
Nigeria tried to respond through Ijamilusi Folashade, but her tame effort was easily gathered by Moroccan goalkeeper, Khadija Er-Rmichi.
The hosts doubled their lead in the 28th minute when Fatima Tagnaout released Sanaâ Mssoudy, who drove into the box and fired a low, left-footed strike beyond Nnadozie to make it 2-0.
Morocco maintained their advantage into the break as both sides went into the dressing room with the scoreline firmly in the hosts’ favour.
The Super Falcons returned with renewed purpose in the second half, stepping up their intensity and putting the Moroccan defence under sustained pressure.
Nigeria nearly pulled one back when a collision between Er-Rmichi and defender Nesryne El Chad almost gifted the Falcons a goal, but the Moroccan defence cleared their lines in time.
The pressure eventually paid off in the 63rd minute when a ball hooked back into the area by Ijamilusi struck the arm of defender Nouhaila Benzina, resulting in a penalty. Esther Okoronkwo stepped up and calmly converted from the spot to halve the deficit.
Eight minutes later, Okoronkwo turned provider, sprinting down the right flank before cutting back a well-timed pass for Ijamilusi, who made no mistake from close range to level the tie at 2-2.
The Falcons completed their sensational comeback in the 88th minute when Jennifer Echegini reacted quickest to a deep free-kick, stabbing home from close range to spark wild celebrations on the Nigerian bench.
The victory sees Nigeria reinforce their dominance in African women’s football, securing their 10th WAFCON title and reasserting their status as the queens of the continent.
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