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As he reflects on his six years as manager, Mike Arteta believes his transformation has helped the Gunners win significant trophies.

Arsenal will be top of the Premier League at Christmas with a victory at Everton on Saturday, which Arteta’s former club had hoped would be their first since 2003/04.

Only major trophy has Arteta brought back Arsenal as Premier League title contenders and Champions League regulars despite winning FA Cup matches in the early stages of his reign.

They finished second in each of their previous three seasons, but they failed to finish in the top four of the Premier League for six straight years between 2017 and 2022.

Even though we haven’t yet won any significant trophies, Arteta said on Friday, “The transformation has been around the club in terms of the size, in terms of revenues, in terms of the squad we built, in terms of the value of it, in terms of the sporting success.”

“We’re in the right place because it’s very, very consistent,” he said.

Nigeria’s 2025 AFCON Matches, Kickoff – Group Stage READ ALSO.

At the top of the table, Arsenal leads Manchester City by two points, but the gap has narrowed in recent weeks, with draws at Sunderland and Chelsea and just one more defeat coming at Aston Villa.

Six games are played between December 20 and January 8 for Arteta’s men during the festive season.

The 43-year-old has a list of Christmas wishes that he has in mind.

He said, “Win, win, win, win, win, win, win, win every game.”

“I’ll say the rest will come naturally, but if we win, I’ll have much better mood and energy,” she said.

Ruben Amorim thinks Manchester United can win the Premier League sooner than Alex Ferguson’s prediction of 10 or 11 years.

Since the Scots bowed out as a champion in 2013, the Red Devils have lost 20 of their 20 English league titles.

Ferguson recently claimed that United are “now in the same situation” as Liverpool were when they spent 30 years without winning the title.

The Premier League trophy may not be returned to Old Trafford until the club great says it could take “10, 11 years,” but Amorim is confident that it will not be that long.

The current United boss told reporters on Friday, “He understands football more than I do, especially English football.”

“I believe it won’t take long for us to win a league,” she said. And I’m not sure what manager will show up.

“But I firmly believe that we will be able to contend for the title in the upcoming (fifew) years. And I believe it won’t require a lot of time.

Following a sluggish season so far, United are sixth in the Premier League table heading into Sunday’s game against third-placed Aston Villa.

At his pre-game press conference, Amorim was also asked what he thought of Bruno Fernandes’ comments to Portuguese media, in which the club captain claimed United wanted to sell him in the summer transfer window.

Osimhen, Lookman, and Other Persons Who Could Shape Nigeria’s Title Push are also worth reading.

Fernandes claimed that Amorim’s plans, which had persuaded him to stay at Old Trafford, still had him in them, but that the club’s hierarchy’s stance had hurt him.

Amorim claimed that Amorim’s Portuguese counterpart, who signed for United in 2020, “said what he was feeling.”

The United boss said, “Of course, we can avoid these things because we already know the noise,” but he spoke with the board and “I think everything is crystal clear.”

Fernandes also suggested that not everyone stood up for United the way he does.

Amorim remarked, “I don’t know if it’s fair. He only discussed his emotions. He must respond to that, not me.

He serves as an example of how to give everything, I believe. In every training session and match, he places everything on the line. He’s unique in that area.

Nigeria returns to the continent in search of a fourth title following the disappointment of the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON).

The spotlight will be on legendary players like Victor Osimhen, Ademola Lookman, Alex Iwobi, and other notable people who are expected to transform renewed dreams into triumph for a country determined to reclaim continental glory with the 2025 edition.

2013 was the last time Nigeria won the AFCON trophy in South Africa. The host nation, the Ivory Coast, whose 2–1 victory in the final set off the team’s attempt to win a fourth title in the 2023 edition, which ultimately cost the team the championship.

Read more about the 2025 World Cup woes in Nigerian sports: &nbsp, Falcons’ Record, D’Tigress’ dominance, and more.

Here are some players who are poised to take the spotlight and contribute to the Super Eagles’ rise one step further than they did in 2024 as the 2025 edition begins in North Africa.

The Lethal Finisher Eyeing AFCON Glory, Victor Osimhen

Fans of football in Nigeria and other countries need no introduction to Victor Osimhen. He consistently scores goals for both his country and Galatasaray, earning him a reputation as one of the top three strikers in the world. His significance for the Super Eagles’ setup is unsurpassed.

When Osimhen is unavailable, Nigeria frequently struggles to score goals and win games. The Super Eagles have won 12 goals in the team’s last five games, five of which were goals by Osimhen, a testament to his impact.

Nigeria’s failure to qualify for the 2026 FIFA World Cup was a result of his absence from the majority of his qualifiers. The 2023 African Footballer of the Year was a key part of Nigeria’s advancing to the final of the 2023 AFCON, scoring 14 goals for Galatasaray so far this season.

The former Napoli striker will need to maintain his impressive form if the Eagles want to go one step further this time.

Nigerians rely on the fervor of Resurgent Ademola Lookman.

Nigeria will not be relying on Osimhen to win the continental prize in this attack. Lookman, a forward for Atalanta, was one of the main contributors to the Super Eagles’ victory in the final of the previous AFCON, recording three goals and one assist.

In 2024, he succeeded Osimhen with the title of African Footballer of the Year due to his performances at the tournament and his form at his club. His form was impacted by his unsuccessful departure from Atalanta in the summer and his strained relationship with the club’s former coach.

However, Lookman has since found his rhythm, scoring three goals in the process since replacing Ivan Juri with Raffaele Palladino in November. To continue his excellent form in Morocco, Nigeria will need him.

Wilfred Ndidi’s leadership strategy will be crucial.

After William Troost-Ekong left the national team, it seems as though Nigeria are going to Morocco without one of its experienced men.

Ndidi, who has been a force since making his team debut in 2015, has won 71 caps. He played in two AFCON competitions in 2019 and 2021, but injured him, and he did not play in 2023. He represented Nigeria at the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia.

Ndidi has been a regular starter for Beşiktaş and has even worn the captain’s armband in recent matches.

If the Super Eagles are to succeed in Morocco, the former Leicester City midfielder will need to carry that form into the 2025 AFCON.

Alex Iwobi Must Bring Years of Experience to the Table.

Ndidi and Alex Iwobi, the team’s most-capped player, Alex Iwobi, will continue playing midfield together after 90 games.

Iwobi, who made his Fulham debut in 2015, has been a key member of the Super Eagles. He often depends on his output because he plays a crucial role as a playmaker.

The former Arsenal player finished 11th in his best Premier League season so far this year at Fulham, scoring eight goals and adding five assists.

He already contributed two goals and two assists to his excellent form going into the season. If the three-time AFCON champions want to win the trophy, it will be crucial to replicate that level of performance in Morocco.

Calvin Bassey: The defensive backbone of Nigeria

Calvin Bassey has emerged as a key player in the Super Eagles’ defense, consistently delivering despite their most difficult circumstances.

Bassey participated in every second of Nigeria’s 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifying campaign, playing 900 minutes total in each of the ten games. He was the only Nigerian player to do so, demonstrating his dependability and significance to the team.

He scored in his final game for Fulham before moving to AFCON, and his current club form has been outstanding this campaign.

With Ekong and Frederick Benjamin out of action, Bassey is expected to command the backline and help the Super Eagles reach new heights. He is an essential part of the Nigerian defense.

Samuel Chukwueze Must Find Consistence

Along with the three-time African champions, Samuel Chukwueze, his club teammate, is another player to watch out for.

The former Villarreal forward has been criticized for his inconsistent behavior despite having a lot of talent.

The 26-year-old has since gradually found his feet after joining the West London club on loan from AC Milan in the summer.

In a thrilling 4–3 defeat in a Premier League tie, Chukwueze scored a brace against Manchester City after coming on as a substitute.

However, it’s still to be seen if the U-17 World Cup winner will carry that success into this competition.

Safe Hands at the Back by Stanley Nwabali

Stanley Nwabali, a goalkeeper for Chippa United, serves as the foundation of Nigeria’s defense.

Nwabali, a former Enyimba shooter, was a star at the 2023 AFCON and has remained the Super Eagles’ first choice ever since.

Prior to this year’s tournament, he recently featured in a 2–1 pre-competition practice match defeat to Egypt, despite being concerned about his fitness.

Nwabali will need to perform at his best to aid Nigeria in its pursuit of Africa.

Can Nigeria’s Stars Deliver in AFCON 2025?

The Super Eagles will rely on a combination of experience, talent, and leadership as AFCON 2025 begins, which the fans are looking forward to.

Nigeria has the tools to face any opponent thanks to Osimhen’s deadly finishing, Lookman’s creativity, Ndidi’s leadership, Iwobi’s playmaking, and Bassey, Chukwueze, and Nwabali’s solid support.

Although the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) has yet to begin, the event has already spawned a flurry of controversy that has caused drama in the build-up.

The biggest tournament in African football once more lives up to its reputation for being unpredictable, from shock squad omissions to internal power struggles.

Nigeria’s 2025 AFCON Matches, Kickoff – Group Stage READ ALSO.

Among those significant debates, let’s look at some of them:

Ivory Coast Squad Shock Omission Pépé, Adingra,

Unsurprisingly, Nicolas Pépé and Simon Adingra were left out of the national team’s squad, which was one of the first conversation points to emerge from the Ivory Coast.

Both were anticipated to contribute to the Elephants’ title defense in the 2023 AFCON victory.

When Pepe was excluded, coach Emerse Fae said, “He (Pepe) would be with us if we were to take into account only the sporting aspect.”

You need to consider a lot of factors, both on and off the field, to compile a list. Nico’s absence from the list is a result of all of these things.

Fae remarked about Simon’s struggle to make a start at Sunderland. When choosing our candidate, we had to do without his traits.

Power Tussle and Cameroon Selection Contests

The most chaotic of all the preparations appears to be Cameroon. The Indomitable Lions made headlines when it was reported that Marc Brys, the team’s head coach, and Samuel Eto’o, president of the Cameroon Football Federation, were reportedly at odds with one another.

Eto’o intervened and demanded André Onana’s inclusion, which reportedly started when he was denied entry to the first squad.

The coach’s claims that he had been fired led to an uprising in the press, which he later denied. Since then, there have been conflicting reports about squad lists and leadership authority, which represent administrative chaos.

The inclusion of Arnold Mael Kamdem, an a&nbsp player from Brazil’s sixth tier, was a rare occurrence at the international level, which further drew criticism and disbelief.

Nigerian Squad Selection Drama

Following the announcement of the Super Eagles squad, controversy has dominated Nigeria’s AFCON 2025 preparations.

Fans and experts were questioned about the selection criteria after Muhammed Usman, a veteran midfielder, started for the national team for the first time in more than seven years.

Meanwhile, young stars like Crisantus Uche were omitted, causing accusations of favoritism and raising questions about whether young talent is being cut short.

Deliberations on goals have also sparked debate. The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has fueled rumors about alleged interference with the recall of Francis Uzoho and the unexpected exclusion of Maduka Okoye. However, the federation has vehemently denied any interference and emphasized that all decisions were based solely on merit.

Nigeria’s identity crisis stems from football.

National pride has suffered as a result of back-to-back World Cup qualifying defeats, giving fans hope for redemption.

Beyond the on-field experience, the AFCON campaign is increasingly seen as a reflection of Nigeria’s footballing identity and governance. Administrative controversies continue to obscure the nation’s undeniable talent pool, leaving questions about national team management, decision-making, and leadership.

Success at AFCON is not just about winning the trophy; it is also about restoring faith in the institutions that govern the sport, and about reaffirming a long-held national football identity.

Foreign-Based Dominated Squad of the Democratic Republic of Congo

Fans were surprised to learn that only one home-based player, Fiston Mayele, was chosen as Sébastien Desabre’s 26-man squad for DR Congo’s AFCON 2025, while the rest of the squad was made up of European-based players, so no local stars from clubs like TP Mazembe or AS Vita made the final cut.

The key to success, Desabre says, is professionalism.

Professionalizing the organization’s structure and instilling discipline and strict game practices.

As intense cycling events drew attention to Ogbomoso, Oyo State, as the town’s Ogbomoso Cradles Festival drew riders from various state-levels across Nigeria to the area to kick off the 2025 carnival.

The Oyo government’s “Vibing December” initiatives include the Cradles Carnival to mark the end of a busy year.

The 76 km long journey from Ogbomoso to Iseyin and back was completed by about 400 cyclists. The event aims to raise awareness of cycling’s benefits and encourage greater participation among all age groups.

The organizers and the Cyclists Federation of Nigeria said the administration’s enthusiastic support for such a large representation was the driving force behind the decision to have such a large representation. The state has the most cyclists in its entire state.

Nigeria’s 2025 AFCON Matches, Kickoff – Group Stage READ ALSO.

The 76 km ride included a move from the Ogbomoso Palace to the Iseyin Palace in the Iseyin Local Government Area, which was welcomed with great enthusiasm.

The Cyclists Federation of Nigeria officials’ impressive presence at the event, which was hailed as the best way to promote cycling in a state with the largest number of young cyclists, underscored its significance.

Femi Thomas, the head of the Ogun State branch of the Cyclists Federation of Nigeria and a BOT member, noted that 10 states took part in the event.

Thomas asserted that “Oyo State offers the best cycling experience in the country and the highest cycling community in Nigeria.”

Oyo State is the ideal starting place for this state initiative, according to the governor.

Bosun Tijani, the minister of communication, innovation, and digital economy, has made a statement in collaboration with the governor of Ogun State that the Bosun Tijani Foundation Festive Basketball Tournament will be held during the three-day youth sports and development event.

The Alake Sports Complex, Ijeja, Abeokuta, will host the event from December 19 to December 21, 2025, according to a press release made available to journalists in Abeokuta.

The program showcases young talents from Ogun State and beyond while celebrating the end-of-year holiday season by bringing the spirit of celebration, community, and togetherness onto the basketball court.

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Beyond traditional pathways, a wider commitment to youth development is reflected in the tournament. The initiative “Tech Meets Basketball” combines competitive sport, creativity, technology, community engagement, and community involvement, creating a joyful and inclusive platform for young people to express themselves, connect, and celebrate the year’s eve,” the statement reads.

“The value of creating spaces where young people can celebrate, feel, and develop. We want to evoke that spirit on the basketball court by allowing the end of the year to reflect, rejoice, and be together.

When young people are given the chance to express themselves through sports, creativity, or technology, they gain self-assurance, character, and potential. He said, “This tournament is about celebrating talent, community, and the promise of a brighter future.”

A vibrant fan village, cultural and entertainment events, tech showcase zones, stakeholder engagements involving government, private sector actors, and youth-focused organizations will all be part of the tournament, all designed to make it a festive and memorable experience for both participants and spectators.