Arsenal and Real Madrid will each be without a key player for the first leg of their Champions League quarter-final clash next month. Raheem Sterling of Arsenal and Aurelien Tchouameni of Real Madrid are both suspended due to yellow card accumulations.

Sterling received a booking in the final moments of Arsenal’s 2-2 draw with PSV Eindhoven on Wednesday night, a match that saw him provide two assists. This caution means he will miss the upcoming fixture against Real Madrid. Prior to the match, Sterling, Gabriel Martinelli, and Jurrien Timber were all at risk of suspension due to previous bookings. However, Martinelli and Timber avoided cautions as they started on the bench and played only a few minutes at the Emirates.

On the other hand, Real Madrid’s midfielder, Aurelien Tchouameni, will also be unavailable for the first leg in North London. Tchouameni received a yellow card during their last-16 second-leg match against Atletico Madrid, leading to his suspension.

The last encounter between these two teams was in 2006, when Arsenal secured a 1-0 aggregate victory, thanks to a remarkable goal from Thierry Henry.

Both teams will need to adjust their strategies to compensate for the absence of these influential players in the upcoming quarter-final match.

Last Updated on March 13, 2025 by news

Galatasaray striker Victor Osimhen has expressed his eagerness to commence training under the newly appointed Super Eagles head coach, Eric Chelle, as Nigeria prepares for the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers against Rwanda and Zimbabwe. The team is set to reconvene this weekend, marking the first interaction between many players and the Malian tactician.

In January, Chelle embarked on a European tour, meeting with prominent Nigerian internationals such as Alex Iwobi, Wilfred Ndidi, and Moses Simon. Osimhen, who has been in stellar form for Galatasaray, shared his insights on these developments.

“I’ve spoken to him a couple of times and clearly understand the objectives he has set for himself and for the players,” Osimhen told BBC Sports Africa. He emphasized the collective responsibility required to achieve success, stating, “It takes more than a coach to win football matches. Players must also be at their best, show commitment, and bear in mind that we can all fly together to reach our goal.”

The Super Eagles have yet to secure a victory in the current qualifiers, currently sitting fifth in Group C. Osimhen acknowledged the challenges ahead and the necessity for unwavering determination to secure a spot in the upcoming World Cup.

“It’s a dream of every footballer to play at the World Cup, and with our situation in the group, I am desperate, like other players, to make it to the 2026 tournament,” he remarked. Reflecting on past disappointments, Osimhen added, “We suffered a big disappointment in 2022, and we simply can’t let it happen again to us, the country, and our generation.”

The upcoming fixtures against Rwanda and Zimbabwe are pivotal for Nigeria’s qualification aspirations. The Super Eagles aim to rejuvenate their campaign, with Osimhen’s leadership and Chelle’s strategic guidance at the forefront.

As the team assembles under new management, the synergy between the coach and players will be crucial. Osimhen’s enthusiasm to work under Chelle underscores a collective ambition to restore Nigeria’s prominence on the global football stage.

In conclusion, the Super Eagles’ journey towards the 2026 World Cup is set to begin anew, with Osimhen’s commitment and Chelle’s fresh perspective offering renewed hope for Nigerian football fans.

Reference: https://dailypost.ng/2025/03/13/2026-wcq-osimhen-desperate-to-start-training-under-chelle/

Last Updated on March 13, 2025 by news

Arsenal Players Risk Champions League: Arsenal’s commanding 7-1 lead over PSV Eindhoven in the Champions League Round of 16 positions them favourably for the quarter-finals. However, key players Jurrien Timber, Gabriel Martinelli, and Raheem Sterling face potential suspensions if booked in the upcoming second leg at the Emirates Stadium. Each has accumulated two yellow cards in the competition so far.

UEFA regulations stipulate that a player who receives three yellow cards before the semi-finals incurs a one-match ban. These cautions are reset after the quarter-final stage.

Manager Mikel Arteta must carefully consider his squad selection for the second leg to mitigate the risk of losing these pivotal players for the quarter-finals. While the substantial aggregate advantage allows some flexibility, ensuring player availability for future high-stakes matches remains crucial.

Arsenal Players Risk Champions League Key Points:

• Arsenal leads PSV Eindhoven 7-1 on aggregate in the Champions League Round of 16.

• Players Jurrien Timber, Gabriel Martinelli, and Raheem Sterling each have two yellow cards.

• A third yellow card before the semi-finals results in a one-match suspension.

• Yellow card counts are reset after the quarter-finals.

Arteta’s strategic decisions in the upcoming fixture will be pivotal in maintaining squad strength for the challenges ahead.

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Last Updated on March 11, 2025 by news