THE NIGERIAN
30
MONDAY, DECEMBER 16, 2013
Defensive Mistakes Cost Us - Wenger
ARSENAL manager Arsene Wenger felt his team lost their defensive discipline as the Barclays Premier League leaders were blown away 6-3 at Manchester City. And on a day to forget for Wenger’s men, midfielder Jack Wilshere was facing possible censure after appearing to make a crude gesture to home fans during the second half at the Etihad Stadium. The Gunners struggled to handle the hosts’ attacking threat but Wenger claimed his sides were still the equal of City, despite the clear implications of the result in title terms. Wenger said: “It was a difficult game. We had the best defence in the league and we conceded many goals today. “Honestly, we could have scored at least six as well, it was a very open game. “I think we made too many mistakes. Our strength until now was our defensive discipline but that went as the game went on. “We were in a position where we could see the legs were tired a little bit and we had to run after the score. “What hurts me more was that we had the opportunity to put Man City at nine points and now they are three points (behind). “That is very different. That is a team that was not unbeatable today.” In a moment of controversy, Wilshere was caught on camera gesturing towards supporters. The matter could be looked at by the Football Association, who will await referee Martin Atkinson’s report. Wenger said: “I didn’t see that. I don’t know if he did it. If he did it and is banned, we will have to accept it.” Playmaker Mesut Ozil also appeared to head for the dressing room straight after the final whistle without joining his team-mates to applaud the visiting fans. An argument with fellow German Per Mertesacker reportedly ensured but Wenger played down the incident. He said: “That is the Germans, they will sort that out between themselves. Don’t worry.” Arsenal had gone into the Saturday lunchtime game at a perceived disadvantage after playing in the Champions League on Wednesday night, 24 hours after City had been in action. But Wenger said: “I don’t want to look for excuses after a defeat like that but it doesn’t help. “I said before the game I would not use it as an excuse and I won’t do it now, but it was not ideal. “You could see we were not as fresh as we should be for a big game.” City’s victory, which maintained their 100 per cent home record in some style, is certain to see their status as title favourites strengthened but Wenger did not necessarily agree. He said: “They are one of the teams to beat, but not more than any of the other ones we have played until now.
2013 Chess Tourney: By NICHOLAS EBOIGBE
THE initiator and organizer of the first Benin Chess Tournament ‘Oba’s Cup’ which ended on Saturday at the National Gymnasium in Benin, Princess Omoyemwen Adeyinka-Afolabi lauds His Royal Majesty Oba Erediauwa, the Oba of Benin for his support. According to Princess Adeyinka-Afolabi, the Royal
father gave her the desired inspiration which made the
Princess Omo Lauds Oba Erediauwa tournament a grand success. She promised that the tournament will be an annual
one adding that the 2014 edition will be better than the just concluded one. However, in final ranking of ladies section, Osagie Mercy emerged first with 3, 5, Erabor Felix Joy placed second with 3,5 while Enosegbe Katherine clinched third position courtesy 3,0. In the Under 16 boys, Favour Amuele scored 6.5 to grab to the
first position, Odigie Nomamien was second with 6.0 Nweke Precious Peterson Evidence and Uyoho Emmanuel settle for the third with 5.0 each. In the under 16 girls, Igboko Comfort was first with 4.0 scores, followed closely by Alamu Maryam who scored 3.0 to get the third position amongst others.
Tired Everton Flattered By Victory EVERTON manager Roberto Martinez felt mental fatigue played a part in a disjointed performance against Fulham which was turned around late on to win 4-1. aving gone ahead through Leon Osman’s 18th-minute goal, the Toffees failed to press home their advantage and Dimitar Berbatov equalised from the penalty spot midway through the second half. However, just when it seemed the visitors were threatening a winner Seamus Coleman, Gareth Barry and Kevin Mirallas all scored in the last 17 minutes to make the scoreline look somewhat harsh on the Cottagers. Martinez felt his side suffered after a significant victory at Old Trafford and a well-deserved
His Royal Majesty, Oba Erediauwa, Oba of Benin
Eagles Can’t Beat Argentina - Eguavoen
2014 World Cup: By NICHOLAS EBOIGBE
FORMER Super Eagles Coach and Captain, Austin Eguavoen has stated without mincing words that it would be difficult for the Eagles to defeat Argentina in the 2014 World Cup which will hold in Brazil. Cerezo as Eguavoen is popularly called by his admirers stated during a training session cum screening of players for Bendel Insurance at Emotan College in Benin thus “we cannot over-ride Argentina.” He is optimistic that the Eagles
will book a place in the second round of the tournament in Brazil. As he analyzed it “if we can beat Iran and Bosnia Herzegovina, we will qualify from the Group F for the second round.” Eguavoen who is now the Coach of Bendel Insurance asked the Coach Stephen Keshi tutored Eagles to be very determined in order to be able to prosecute their matches successfully. He expressed gratitude to God
that some of them who brought honours to the country in the past have been given opportunity to serve their fatherland. “That’s exactly what Stephen Keshi is doing now. The Nigeria Football Federation, and all the stakeholders of football in the country should give him the required support so he would
succeed. He said the Eagles may surprise the world during the World Cup by surpassing the second round this time. “We have the materials with the right potentials to do well in the World Cup. Keshi knows what to do. Nobody should disturb him. He knows the players that can deliver!
Ozil Sorry For Fans Snub MESUT Ozil has apologised for failing to acknowledge fans after Arsenal’s 6-3 hammering at Manchester City. The German playmaker headed straight for the dressing room after the final whistle at the Etihad Stadium while his teammates went over to applaud travelling supporters. His actions appeared to incur the wrath of defender Per Mertesacker, who remonstrated with his fellow German as he left the field. Now Ozil, who has had a huge influence since his deadline-day arrival from Real Madrid, accepts he should not have done
as he did. In a statement on his website, www.mesutoezil.com, the 25year-old said: “Sorry I didn’t thank the fans at the end of the game! “You have been brilliant to me and I know you had travelled a long way and spent your money to support us. “I was upset with the result and know I should have come to you to say ‘thank you’ and I know it is a big Arsenal tradition win, lose or draw.” The defeat at City saw the Gunners’ lead at the top of the Barclays Premier League cut to two points.
Coach Austin Eguavoen
draw at Arsenal last weekend. “It wasn’t one of our best days. I was a bit fearful before the game as mentally we were going to be fatigued after the two away games which were very demanding,” said the Spaniard. “Physically we were fine but mentally the way we moved the ball it wasn’t as sharp as usual, we couldn’t see our normal patterns going forward. “The first half we controlled the game and had we scored the second goal (earlier) it would’ve changed the game. “Second half you have to give great credit to Fulham. They were well organised, pressing us high up, stopping us from playing. “Once you get that equaliser I have seen many times before the home team collapse and you start panicking and you lose the game. “What we did really well was the mindset changed. We didn’t have anything to lose, we just wanted to win the game and we were brave, adventurous and creative in the final third. “I don’t think it was a 4-1 performance but we deserved the three points.” The only downside was a hamstring tear to youngster Gerard Deulofeu which is likely to rule him out for several weeks. “Gerard is the big negative. He is a sprinter and those players are exposed to those injuries and he has pulled his hamstring,” said Martinez. “We don’t know how big the tear is going to be but we expect Gerard to be out for some time. “It is unfortunate because I thought he was ready to play a big role in the side but we are going to have to be patient and wait for him to come back in the final third of the season as strong as he can be.” Fulham boss Rene Meulensteen was in full agreement with Martinez about the scoreline flattering the hosts. “I do think it didn’t reflect the actual game,” said the Dutchman. “I thought we came back really strongly in the second half, changed a few things, put them under pressure, and that resulted in a few early chances. “We got the equaliser and then conceded too soon after. That took the wind out of our sails. “The 3-1 settled the game from that corner. We spoke about it, to concede another for 4-1, it didn’t reflect the game.”