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As the Gunners approach the end of the Premier League in 2026, Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta believes his side are beginning to realize the benefits of their hard work.

Arsenal are five points clear of second-placed Manchester City, who are away at Sunderland on January 1st, thanks to Tuesday’s emphatic 4-1 victory over title rivals Aston Villa.

When Arsenal asked if this might be the year they finally won the Premier League after a decade-long struggle, Arteta praised his team’s “belief and energy.”

The schedule is very, very demanding, the players have some very difficult matches and injuries, but the players are still winning, he said, so winning helps all of that.

We are so satisfied because of all the sacrifices and commitment you put in, but we also know there is still so much to be grateful for.

READ ALSO:   Arsenal Boss Arteta Will & #8216; Actively Look & #8217; At January Signings Amid Injury Crisis;

It’s a fantastic way to end the year, the Spaniard said, “It’s for sure a great way.” On New Year’s Eve, we’ll have a good time with our families, but we’ll be there the next day because we have to travel to Bournemouth on Saturday.

Arsenal scored four goals in a game for the first time since a thumping north London derby victory over Tottenham at the Emirates Stadium on November 23 after a narrow one-goal lead against Wolverhampton, Everton, and Brighton in their three previous league games.

For an Arsenal side that had dominated the second half, “we needed this game,” said Martin Zubimendi, who scored against Villa alongside Gabriel, Leandro Trossard, and Gabriel Jesus.

We were playing at home, and we wanted to finish the year at the top of the table when we faced Aston Villa, a great team that was almost perfect tactically. We are very pleased with the result.

We struggled a little bit with the counterattacks in the first half. We made some adjustments at half-time, and when we scored the first and second, the second half ended up being so competitive that we managed to score four.

“We observed the crowd’s willingness to push and demand more,” the statement read.

With a 3-1 victory over Uganda in Group C tie, the Super Eagles reaffirmed their position as a potential 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) champions, keeping their perfect record in the competition. &nbsp,

Eric Chelle restrained some players because Nigeria was already guaranteed a spot in the Round of 16 of the competition. The starting lineup for Saturday’s match against Tunisia was made eight changes by the Franco-Malian.

Raphael Onyedika and Fisayo Dele-Bashiru took the place of Alex Iwobi and Wilfred Ndidi, while Paul Onuachu and Victor Osimhen were chosen as his attacking partners. Francis Uzoho, who replaced Stanley Nwabali, was unavoidably called into the starting lineup.

The team provided all three points to Nigeria insufficiently. The Super Eagles have completed a flawless group-stage run at AFCON for the fourth time, joining them in 1992, 2006, and the 2021 editions.

What Can You Learn from the Uganda vs. Nigeria Game?

Following the conclusion of the three-time African champions’ group stage preparations, here are the lessons to be learned from the Nigeria vs. Uganda game:

Nigeria: A Potent Attacking Force

The 4-4-2 formation Chelle chose gave the Nigerian side more dynamism as it had more overall control of the game. Dele-Bashiru, who the Malian had warned was in need of a starting position, proved his coach wrong by never walking away from mistakes. Tormenting the Ugandan defense, he and Onuachu worked well together and set the scene for the opening goal.

Battle of Ikpeazu and Badgey

The big men, Calvin Bassey and Uchechukwu Ikpeazu from Uganda, squared off in the game. Both players put their physical abilities to the test, and neither player was ever willing to give a damn about the turf.

Onyedika defeats Uganda 3-1 to put an end to Group Phase Perfect. [2025 AFCON]

Uzoho appears in movies

Francis Uzoho, Omonia Nicosia’s goalkeeper, made what will be a very special appearance after about two years of being replaced by Stanley Nwabali. He made the most of the unforeseen opportunity, appearing comfortable in both his distribution and the goal. However, he had no luck being defeated by a delicate Crane chip.

Onyedika Shines

Raphael Onyedika had only scored one goal for Nigeria before today’s game. Even though Uganda had a man sent off, he tripled that total by adding two more times in a single game. He also had adroit passing and was wise with his positioning.

What will Nigeria do next? &nbsp,

After completing the task, Nigeria will face the third-placed team from Group B or F on January 5th.

Any of the nations in those groups, which include Mozambique, Cameroon, and the Ivory Coast, is currently a possible candidate.

Tanzania reached the knockout stage of the Africa Cup of Nations for the first time, 45 years after their maiden appearance, by coming from behind to draw 1-1 with fellow qualifiers Tunisia in Rabat.

Ismael Gharbi converted a penalty just before half-time for Tunisia, and Feisal Salum levelled early in the second half in the Moroccan capital.

Tanzania have been trying since 1980 to advance beyond the group stage, and have still to win a match in four appearances. They squeezed into the round of 16 after two draws and one loss.

Tunisia finished second in Group C with four points, five less than table-toppers Nigeria. Tanzania pipped Angola on goals scored for one of four places reserved for third-placed teams.

Raphael Onyedika scored twice as already qualified Nigeria overcame 10-man Uganda 3-1 in the other Group C match to maintain a 100 percent record after the group stage.

Only Tunisia know their next opponents. They will face Mali in Rabat on Saturday in the round of 16. Who Nigeria and Tanzania meet has yet to be decided.

Argentina-born Tanzania coach Miguel Gamondi gave an AFCON debut to 33-year-old goalkeeper Hussein Masaranga, one of three changes to the team that drew with Uganda in their previous match.

Tunisia coach Sami Trabelsi dropped another 33-year-old, captain Ferjani Sassi, to the bench, but the midfielder came on early in the second half to win his 100th cap.

READ ALSO: &nbsp,]2025 AFCON] Lookman Soaring And Five Takeaways From Nigeria Vs Tunisia Match

Audacious goal attempt&nbsp,

Ismael Gharbi struck the post for Tunisia early on. He then saw an audacious long-range effort land on the roof of the netting to the relief of poorly positioned Masaranga.

After reviewing a goalmouth incident on the pitchside VAR monitor, the Congolese referee gave Tunisia a slight advantage in the lead and went ahead on 43 minutes.

Ibrahim Hamad was accused of fouling Hazem Mastouri in big-screen replays. Gharbi converted the spot kick.

Feisal Salum levelled two minutes into the second half to give the game a one-minute lead. The ball slipped past Aymen Dahmen into the corner after he fired a goalward from beyond the D.

In Fes, Nigeria advanced on 28 minutes thanks to a clever move that made use of the defense’s available space.

Despite being surrounded by three opponents, Onuachu struck the net with a deft pass from Bruno Onyemaechi.

Salim Magoola, Uganda’s goalkeeper, was sent off for handling outside the area on 56 minutes. Denis Onyango, a 40-year-old captain, was replaced for the second half by Magoola.

With the game less than an hour away, Legason Alionz, the third goalkeeper used by Uganda, came on. As Nigeria jumped out to a three-goal lead in eight minutes, Raphael Onyedika beat him twice in eight minutes.

Shots were fired by Onyedika twice to find the bottom right corner. On both occasions, Samuel Chukwueze, a loanee from AC Milan, scored the midfielder.

Raphael Onyedika scored twice as a much-changed Super Eagles of Nigeria thrashed 10-man Uganda 3-1 on Tuesday to end the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) with a perfect record. &nbsp,

The Club Brugge midfielder netted in the 62nd and 67th minutes of the clash in Fes after Paul Onuachu gave Nigeria the lead 28 minutes into the game. &nbsp,

With the win, the Super Eagles ended the group phase with nine points, having beaten Tanzania and Tunisia in their first and second matches, respectively.

Against the Cranes in Fes, Nigeria went ahead on 28 minutes through a well-constructed move that exploited space in the Ugandan defence.

A clever pass from Bruno Onyemaechi set up Fisayo Dele-Bashiru to deliver a low cross that Onuachu struck into the net despite being surrounded by three opponents.

READ ALSO:]2025 AFCON] Lookman Soaring And Five Takeaways From Nigeria Vs Tunisia Match

Uganda suffered a huge blow on 56 minutes when goalkeeper Salim Magoola was red-carded for handling outside the area. Magoola had replaced 40-year-old captain Denis Onyango for the second half.

With a brace for Nigeria, Onyedika is the TotalEnergies Man of the Match. #TotalEnergiesAFCON2025 | @Football2Gether pic. twitter.com/LVBZVgu8Rv

Legason Alionz came on, the third goalkeeper used by Uganda, with the match less than an hour old. He was beaten twice within eight minutes by Raphael Onyedika as Nigeria surged to a three-goal lead.

Onyedika twice found the bottom right corner with shots. On both occasions, Samuel Chukwueze, a loanee from AC Milan, scored the midfielder.

Who will Nigeria and Tanzania next meet?

In the other Group C game, Tanzania rose from a 1-1 deficit to reach the knockout stage of the Africa Cup of Nations, 45 years after their maiden appearance.

Feisal Salum scored the opening penalty in Tunisia just before half-time, and Ismael Gharbi converted it for Tunisia.

Tanzania have tried since 1980 to move past the group stage, but they have failed to do so in four matches. After drawing two draws and losing one game, they were still in the draw.

Following the tragic passing of two Anthony Joshua associates in a fatal accident in Nigeria, which also left the former heavyweight champion injured, undisputed heavyweight world champion Oleksandr Usyk has expressed his shock and condolences.

Joshua’s second defeat by Usyk, who won the WBA (Super), IBF, WBO, and IBO heavyweight titles, was described as “unbelievable” by Usyk.

Usyk emphasized in his statement that Joshua’s family and friends were also close friends.

He expressed his condolences to Joshua’s families and loved ones, and wished him a quick and full recovery.

Read more about Anthony Joshua Stable After a Fatal Accident in the Lagos Government.

“This is a terrible loss,” he said. The amazing people who were AJ’s team and also friends, @sina_evolve and @healthy_mindset, were amazing! My sincere condolences to everyone who knew them, including their families. @anthonyjoshua – We wish you a quick recovery. In a post on Instagram, Usyk wrote, “Strength up, champion.”

Joshua was involved in a road accident on Monday in the Ogun State of Makun, according to Channels Television.

Kevin Latif Ayodele and Sina Ghami, the former heavyweight champion, were hurt and lost two of their associates.

The incident occurred just eight days after Jake Paul, a YouTuber-turned-boxer, defeated the former heavyweight world champion in a Netflix-backed fight in Miami.

The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) attributed the collision to a wrongful overtaking and overspeed in a statement.

It claimed that preliminary investigations indicated that a Lexus Jeep that was suspected of going over the legal speed limit on the corridor lost control while attempting to overtake and collided with a truck that was well packed by the side of the road.

The crash’s “primary causes, which are excessive speed and wrongful overtaking,” are serious traffic violations and continue to be one of the leading causes of fatal road crashes on Nigerian highways, according to FRSC.

At the Africa Cup of Nations on Monday, hosts Morocco eased to a 3-0 victory over Zambia to advance to the last 16 as group winners.

In Rabat’s Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium, the Olympiakos’ striker scored in each half in front of 62,532 spectators, while Brahim Diaz from Real Madrid added another goal in the third match in a row.

Morocco moved up from Group A to first place with seven points after winning the first round with two victories and a draw. With a score of 0-0 against Comoros, Mali finished second after a third straight draw.

Therefore, Walid Regragui’s Moroccan side will have the advantage of staying in Rabat on Sunday, January 4 for a last-16 matchup with one of the best third-place finishers.

Achraf Hakimi, the host nation’s captain, made his first appearance since suffering an ankle injury in Paris Saint-Germain’s early November game, starting as a second-half substitute. The host nation enjoyed the occasion.

The Atlas Lions’ 19-game winning run came to an end with a 1-1 draw with Mali last time out, but they bounced back and outclassed their Zambian foes.

Read more about Appollis’ Penalty that sends South Africa past Zimbabwe in the final 16 of the AFCON.

According to the FIFA rankings, Morocco leads Africa by 80 spots, overtaking Zambia by 91. In addition to their World Cup qualifying victories, they also won at home and away against the Copper Bullets.

The visitors were also in the difficult position of having to win their final group game in order to advance to the knockout stages, which is a difficult task for a nation that hasn’t won an AFCON championship since 2012 when they lifted the trophy in 2012.

With nine minutes left, Morocco led when Azzedine Ounahi clipped a first-time ball to the back post, where El Kaabi nodded in before fleeing in celebration, covering his face with a smile.

Just before the half-hour mark, Ounahi’s incredible pass released Abde Ezzalzouli after a superb move led to the second goal. El Kaabi squandered his low ball in from the left, but Diaz won the match with a third goal in as many games.

El Kaabi escaped the Zambian offside trap and received another assist from Ounahi with an overhead kick to make it 3-0 six minutes after half-time for Morocco.

El Kaabi joins Diaz and Riyad Mahrez on three goals at the top of the AFCON scorers’ list after the goal was initially rejected for offside before being awarded following a VAR check.

Hakimi’s debut came in the 64th minute to replace Noussair Mazraoui for his first tournament start, and he was only denied entry by a strong save late on from Willard Mwanza, who had already greeted him with a huge cheer.