Arsenal Football Club have reaffirmed their credentials as genuine title contenders after a gritty 1. 0 victory over Newcastle United at the Emirates...
Arsenal Football Club have reaffirmed their credentials as genuine title contenders after a gritty 1. 0 victory over Newcastle United at the Emirates Stadium on Saturday. The win, which propelled the Gunners back to the summit of the Premier League standings, was however tinged with fresh concern over the fitness of German international Kai Havertz. Manager Mikel Arteta, speaking exclusively to GoalZaza after the match, provided a cautious update on the midfielder. �s condition, stating that the club. �s medical team would conduct further assessments in the coming days.. �He felt something during the second half. We hope it is not serious, but we must be careful,. � Arteta said. In the scheme of things, Arsenal. �s resilience was the lion. �s share of the narrative, as they ground out three vital points against a stubborn Newcastle side that refused to lie down. The victory came courtesy of a clinical finish from Nigerian international Folarin Balogun, who continues to give a good account of himself whenever called upon. Balogun, who spent time on loan in the Championship last term, has now scored three goals in his last four appearances for the North London club. His movement off the ball and composure in front of goal were a sight to behold, and the home fans rose as one to salute his efforts. Arteta. �s men now turn their attention to a testing run of fixtures that will ultimately decide whether they can seize the Premier League crown from Manchester City. For the Arsenal faithful, the sight of Havertz limping off late in the game was a worrying development, but the powers that be at the club remain optimistic that he will be available for the next match. As it stands, the Gunners hold a slender lead at the top of the table, and every point from here on is precious. In Lagos, at the popular Ikeja City Mall viewing centre, fans clad in red and white jerseys erupted in jubilation when Balogun. �s shot hit the back of the net. There was a collective gasp when Havertz went down, and the mood turned tense until Arteta. �s reassuring post match comments filtered through on the big screens. Many of the supporters, balancing their bottles of Malta Guinness and pure water sachets, declared that this Arsenal side has the character to go all the way. The chatter on the way home was all about the Super Eagles connection and the hope that Balogun can fire the Gunners to glory.
