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Arteta Seeks Three Points As Arsenal Battle Chelsea To Revive Premier League Title Ambition

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Three days later than initially planned, Arsenal and Chelsea renew hostilities for a Premier League London derby at the Emirates Stadium on Tuesday night.

The contest was supposed to take place on Saturday evening but was moved to a midweek kickoff upon a revision from the Metropolitan Police, much to the dismay of supporters.

Facing the biggest test of their title credentials yet, Arsenal did little to suggest that they can last the course when met with the end-of-season Manchester City juggernaut, who taught their former employee Mikel Arteta quite the footballing lesson in a 4-1 romping.

 

Kevin De Bruyne’s brace, John Stones’s header and Erling Braut Haaland’s record-breaking 33rd Premier League goal of the season contributed to a comprehensive win for the reigning champions, and while the travelling fans were able to celebrate a well-taken consolation from Rob Holding, their side’s title destiny is no longer in their own hands.

Thanks to Man City’s 2-1 triumph over Fulham, Arteta’s men have been knocked off their perch and into second place, although one silver lining from last week was Brighton & Hove Albion’s loss to Nottingham Forest, which guaranteed Arsenal’s return to the Champions League for the first time since the 2016-17 season.

A top-four finish was the overriding goal for Arteta and co before the first ball was kicked this term, but a familiar sense of springtime dread is once again prevalent amid accusations of Arsenal ‘bottling’ the title – not completely unfounded given the manner of their draws with Liverpool, West Ham United and basement side Southampton.

Wednesday’s loss at the Etihad marked the seventh game in a row in which Arsenal have both scored and conceded – shipping an alarming 11 goals in their last four games – but only Newcastle United have prevented the Gunners from scoring at the Emirates this season, and Chelsea are not exactly jumping for joy at the moment either.

 

With every passing week, Todd Boehly’s peculiar decision to bring Frank Lampard back to Stamford Bridge is not being vindicated, as the Englishman’s losing streak stretched to a worrying five games when West London rivals Brentford came to town and left with a 2-0 victory.

The returning Cesar Azpilicueta had an own goal to his name in the 37th minute, and as profligacy reared its ugly head for Chelsea once again, Bryan Mbeumo took advantage with a well-taken second for the Bees 12 minutes from time, and 12th place is appropriately where Lampard’s side find themselves right now.


Crystal Palace leapfrogged their London rivals on Saturday thanks to their 4-3 success over West Ham, leaving Chelsea just 10 points clear of the relegation zone and – incredibly – still at risk of demotion to the Championship. It is also mathematically impossible for the Blues to challenge for the top four, but that ship had sailed some time ago.

While the Blues’ squad are said to be excited by the imminent appointment of Mauricio Pochettino as their new manager, Lampard is out to avoid a slice of unwanted history at the Emirates, where defeat would mark a 20th loss of the campaign for the first time in Chelsea’s Premier League era – they last suffered as many beatings in 1987-88.

Now winless in eight straight matches since Graham Potter masterminded a 3-1 triumph over Leicester City in March, Chelsea have just the one goal to their name since Lampard’s homecoming – Conor Gallagher’s deflected strike versus Brighton – and only one of their last 10 Premier League away games has ended in victory.

A Gabriel Magalhaes finish propelled Arsenal to a 1-0 win at Stamford Bridge earlier this season, over a year on from the Blues’ Romelu Lukaku-inspired 2-0 victory at the Emirates in August 2021 – a similar showing from ex-Gunner Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang would not go amiss for the travelling fans here.

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OsunDecides2026: ‘Protect our votes, respect our mandate,’ Adeleke urges Tinubu, security operatives

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Osun State Governor, Ademola Adeleke, has urged President Bola Tinubu to direct security agencies deployed for the governorship election to protect the integrity of the electoral process as collation of results begins.

Adeleke made the appeal in a post on X on Saturday evening, expressing concern over alleged attempts to disrupt or hijack collation centres across the state.

Addressing Tinubu, the governor said, “It is imperative that you use your good office to issue a clear warning to the heads of security agencies deployed to protect the good people of Osun State and safeguard the integrity of the electoral process.”

He said reports of alleged attempts to disrupt collation centres by politicians were “deeply concerning and unacceptable,” given the number of security personnel deployed for the election.

Adeleke urged the President to reiterate his commitment to ensuring that votes cast by Osun residents count and that the final outcome reflects their choice.

“I therefore implore you to reiterate the commitment made to the people of Osun State that their votes will count and that the outcome of this election will reflect their genuine choice,” he said.

The governor specifically called on the Nigeria Police Force, Department of State Services, Nigerian Army and Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps to adhere to the directive, while urging that the Independent National Electoral Commission receive the necessary support to complete the process.


“The Nigeria Police, DSS, Nigerian Army, NSCDC and other security agencies must strictly adhere to this directive, while INEC must be given every necessary support to conclude the process and deliver a credible and transparent outcome,” Adeleke said.

He added, “The people of Osun State have spoken with one voice, and their voices must be heard. Their votes must be protected, and their mandate must be respected.”

Adeleke also commended voters for turning out for the election and urged security agencies to remain vigilant as results move from polling units to wards and local government collation centres.

“Against all odds, the people of Osun State have turned out in large numbers and are speaking with one voice. The safety and protection of our people is paramount,” he said.

“I commend the security agencies deployed for this election and urge them to remain vigilant as we move into the collation of results; from polling units to wards to local government areas.”

The governor further called on INEC to maintain high standards throughout the collation process.

“I also call on INEC to uphold the highest standards of integrity throughout this process,” he said.

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Osun Decides: Call your people to order – Davido tells Tinubu

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Nigerian musician, David Adeleka, also known as Davido has asked President Bola Tinubu to call members and supporters of the All Progressives Congress, APC, to order.

Davido made the call in a post on his verified X handle on Saturday as sorting and announcement of election results were ongoing.

His call stemmed from the allegation that ‘thugs’ of the Osun State Chapter of the APC stormed GOF junction, Osogbo the state capital to disrupt Ward 4 and 5 election results.

“Mr President, call your people to order. Osun APC thugs have invaded GOF junction, Osogbo to disrupt Ward 4 and 5 results.

“They have seen defeat and they are now trying to destroy ballot papers and boxes. Osogbo people will resist them.

“They want to start attacking everywhere. Osun people, mount your votes,” he tweeted.

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Oyinlola, Omisore lose polling units to Accord days after endorsing APC’s Oyebamiji

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The Accord Party has secured victory at the polling unit of former Osun State Deputy Governor, Senator Iyiola Omisore, in the ongoing governorship election.

Results published on the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, Result Viewing Portal, IReV, showed that Accord polled 131 votes at Polling Unit 003, Ife Ward 1, Moore, St. Gabriel Primary School, Ife East Local Government Area.

The All Progressives Congress, APC, came second with 85 votes, while the African Democratic Congress, ADC, received 10 votes. Other political parties recorded only marginal votes.

The result adds to a series of early victories recorded by Accord in the election.

Earlier, the party also won at the polling unit of former Governor Prince Olagunsoye Oyinlola in Okuku, Odo-Otin Local Government Area, where it secured 125 votes.

At the same polling unit, APC garnered 85 votes, while ADC polled five votes.

INEC has continued to upload results to the IReV portal as collation progresses across the state.

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