Sports

Fabregas Dilemma, Sign Of Tough Times For Arsenal

Published

15 years ago

July 2, 2011

Two weeks ago, Ivan Gazidis, all too aware of unprecedented levels of dissent among his club’s fans, promised a stormy meeting of the Arsenal Supporters’ Trust that the time had finally come for change.

“We’re going to see some turnover of players, some new signings coming in. I expect it will be a busy close season for the club,” the chief executive insisted.

Gazidis knew he was under pressure. Having at one stage been fighting for trophies on four fronts last season, the team’s prospects fell apart following the shattering Carling Cup final defeat by Birmingham City and they eventually finished fourth in the Premier League, and trophyless for a sixth consecutive season.

That, combined with a controversial decision to increase ticket prices and the uncertainty created by elusive American billionaire Stan Kroenke’s effective takeover, left the bond between club and fans as fragile as many AST members could remember.

“We’re working hard, very hard. We need to correct failings that we have, and there’ll be some new signings and some departures,” said Gazidis, heralding a watershed summer.

Since then, Arsenal’s fans have had to sit and watch while champions Manchester United have strengthened with the big-money acquisitions of Phil Jones and Ashley Young, Liverpool have spent similar amounts on Jordan Henderson, and Chelsea have completed the most expensive managerial signing in history by recruiting Andre Villas-Boas from Porto.

Meanwhile, at the Emirates, they’ve had to make do with the £1m capture of Carl Jenkinson from Charlton – and the focus of transfer activity is now on the possibility of their captain leaving, rather than any incoming new faces.

Barcelona’s reported bid for Cesc Fabregas is no surprise, given their long-standing interest in bringing the midfielder home. Equally, the player himself clearly wants to return – but what may have shifted is Arsenal’s attitude. My understanding is that Barcelona would like to conclude a deal when Fabregas is back in the city next week, visiting friends and family.

They would prefer to do business before he is forced to return to pre-season training in London on 5 July, enabling him to go on Barca’s tour to the US, and avoid the messy, late negotiations that did little for relations with Arsenal last close-season.

So what should Arsenal do if and when a raised bid comes in? On the one hand they are well within their rights to follow the lead of Spurs when rebuffing Chelsea’s pursuit of Luka Modric, and ignore Barcelona again.

Fabregas still has four years of his contract left to run so Wenger has no need to panic yet. Perhaps most decisively, if Gazidis and Kroenke think the mood among the fans is hostile now, just wait until they allow Fabregas to leave for less than his worth. They know this and may not dare countenance such a move.

However, Barcelona have other transfer targets and their maximum spend of £35m falls significantly short of Arsenal’s valuation for their midfielder, and until this gap closes any deal remains unlikely. The Spanish club knows it will get its man one day, perhaps at a time in the future when he would fit more easily into their stellar side, so their president Sandro Rosell may simply say the right things to please the club’s members, but then fail to raise his offer sufficiently.

And yet, for the first time, Arsene Wenger may be prepared to think the previously unthinkable. Fabregas’ recent injury problems, (he scored just three league goals last season), the emergence of Jack Wilshere and the problems associated with retaining an unsettled player may mean the manager allows his captain to leave.

Wenger may look at the way United and Liverpool have survived and then thrived following the painful departures of icons Cristiano Ronaldo and Fernando Torres respectively, and begin a much-needed revamp in spectacular style.

But Arsenal have another problem. The harsh reality is that despite being 95% owned by two billionaires, Kroenke and Alisher Usmanov, and boasting a fantastic stadium, the club is no longer in the same financial league as the likes of Manchester United, Chelsea and Manchester City when it comes to player wages and transfer spend.

To some extent this can be put down to a noble emphasis on sustainability at a time when loss-making has become the norm in the Premier League, and with Uefa’s Financial Fair Play rules on the horizon, the club’s foresight should be recognised.

But just like on the pitch, Arsenal are also guilty of financial underperformance. In the 2009-10 season, for instance, the club’s commercial revenue of £44m was almost half of that of United’s £84m.

Seven years ago, rather than issue equity but dilute their highly profitable stakes in the club, Arsenal’s principal share-holders sold long-term naming rights for their new stadium and struck a shirt-sponsorship deal as part of the same agreement.

Today, Manchester United, Liverpool, Chelsea, Spurs and Aston Villa all have more valuable deals, but Arsenal are locked in, hence the club’s commercially-driven pre-season tour to the Far East next month, which will go ahead despite Wenger’s reservations.

“We’re well behind the clubs we’re expected to compete with in revenue,” admitted Gazidis a fortnight ago.

“We’re competing with clubs who spend a lot more than us, so our spend must be as efficient as possible.”

This all matters because as well as the uncertainty over Fabregas, the club has also allowed the contracts of players like Gael Clichy and Samir Nasri to run down, and both are now deciding whether to stay at the Emirates.

Arsenal are now in advanced negotiations with three key targets, with Phil Jagielka, Gervinho and Ricky Alvarez all linked with a move to the club, but many fans feel that Wenger, due to his distaste for the kind of “financial doping” he sees at other clubs, is too loyal to the principle of developing talent rather than simply buying it in. Certainly, rival clubs have become equally familiar with the French talent pool of young players that Wenger has traditionally scoured for value signings.

Others believe Wenger badly misses the guidance and decisiveness of his friend, former vice-chairman David Dein, the man responsible for many of the club’s most successful signings in the first decade of the manager’s tenure.

Four years after he left the club, Dein’s return would perhaps help when it comes to the issue of Fabregas. His son Darren is the Spaniard’s agent, another twist in a long-running saga. Certainly, the bitter battle between Kroenke and Usmanov, who recently criticised the board for the recent lack of silverware, can hardly help when it comes to a consistent transfer strategy.

Usmanov now owns close to the 30% of shares required to be granted access to the club’s detailed financial accounts under Premier League rules. He is expected to take up that opportunity in order to highlight where mistakes have been made over player contracts. Some feel that Gazidis is struggling, that Kroenke is too distant and needs to communicate directly with the supporters for the first time since taking control. Perhaps no other club in the Premier League better demonstrates the tension between ambition and responsibility. There is tension between the main shareholders. There is tension between the board and the fans. And there is tension between Arsenal and Barcelona over what to do about Fabregas.

Arsenal’s decision over their captain will set the tone for the club for seasons to come. But whatever Arsenal now does, the saga has highlighted challenging times for a traditional club struggling to adapt to the modern footballing landscape.

Dan Roan is with BBC Sports

Sports

FUBARA Opens 2026 PH AMATEUR OPEN GOLF Championship

Published

3 days ago

October 26, 2026

The Tide

Governor of Rivers State, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, on Saturday declared open the 2026 Port Harcourt Amateur Open Golf Championship during which he renewed his administration’s commitment to supporting initiatives that promote youth development and the wellbeing of Rivers people.

Governor Fubara, who was represented by his Chief of Staff, Barr. Sunny Ewule, at the ceremonial Tee -off to kickstart the tournament, said the event holding in Port Harcourt, is a clear indication that Rivers State is safe, peaceful and open for sports, tourism and business.

“This championship bringing over two hundred and fifty golfers from across Nigeria to Port Harcourt is a testament to the fact that Rivers State is safe, peaceful and open for sports, tourism and business. You have demonstrated that sports is a powerful tool for social cohesion and for projecting the positive nature of our State,” he said.

The Rivers State Government, the Governor stated, identifies with the championship and will continue to support initiatives that promote youth development and the wellbeing of the people.

Governor Fubara described golf as more than a sport, emphasising that it teaches patience, discipline, focus and integrity. According to him, these values were in line with his administration’s commitment to peace, unity and healthy living for all the people of Rivers State.

He commended the Local Organizing Committee for their hard work in putting the event together. He also commended the Port Harcourt Club Golf Section for sustaining the historic Club since 1928, while wishing all golfers participating in the championship an injury-free and worthy tournament.

The President of the Port Harcourt Club, Barr. Victor Omubo Frank-Briggs, expressed appreciation to the Governor honouring their invitation, noting that with the government’s presence the golfers have been energised and inspired to do their best in the championship

MFM, First Bank eye AWBL finals in Liberia (5)

Nigerian clubs MFM Basketball Club and First Bank Basketball Club will battle for places in the African Women’s Basketball League finals when they compete in the FIBA Africa Zone 3 qualifiers in Monrovia, Liberia, from November 2 to 9.

The six-team competition will take place at the Samuel Kanyon Doe Indoor Gymnasium in Paynesville, with the top two teams earning qualification for the continental finals in Cairo, Egypt, scheduled for December 11 to 19.

MFM and First Bank will be seeking to carry their domestic form into the qualifiers after meeting in the final of the Zenith Bank Women’s Basketball League, where MFM claimed a narrow 66-64 victory.

The result underlined the close rivalry between the Nigerian sides, who will now look to establish themselves against opponents from across the region and secure their places in Cairo.

Defending FIBA Africa Zone 3 champions Friends of Basketball Association of Côte d’Ivoire will also compete, alongside Benin Republic’s Energie Basketball Club of Cotonou.

Hosts Liberia will be represented by Flames Basketball Club, the domestic league runners-up, and reigning national champions D’Rockers Basketball Club.

The Nigerian clubs secured their places in the qualifiers after FIBA Africa and the Liberia Basketball Association extended the registration deadline and adjusted the competition schedule following the late conclusion of their domestic league campaign. The intervention was facilitated by FIBA Africa Zone 3 President, Colonel Sam Ahmedu (retd.).

Preparations for the tournament are also gathering momentum, with Flames president and Liberia Basketball Association Secretary-General Calvin Diggs saying the organisers are working to deliver a successful competition.

FIBA Africa Zone 3 Secretary Joe Apu also expressed confidence in Liberia’s readiness, citing the experience of the country’s basketball community in hosting international events.

With six teams competing for just two qualification places, MFM and First Bank will face a demanding test as they seek to progress to the continental finals in Egypt.

Sports

Chukwueze Faces Injury Lay-Off

Published

3 days ago

October 26, 2026

The Tide

Super Eagles winger Samuel Chukwueze is expected to spend at least two months on the sidelines with a hip injury, ruling him out of AC Milan’s upcoming fixtures, including the derby against Inter Milan.

According to Italian sources, the 27-year-old has consulted a specialist over a problem with his left hip and commenced treatment with injections.

Chukwueze will undergo another assessment in 10 to 15 days, but he is not expected to return before the end of the year, dealing a blow to Nigeria and Milan’s options on the right flank.

The Nigerian reportedly experienced discomfort in his hip after Milan’s Serie A fixture against Atalanta and missed training ahead of last Thursday’s UEFA Europa League clash with Bournemouth, which the Italian side lost 3-0.

Chukwueze has made eight appearances across all competitions this season, providing two assists since returning to Milan following a loan spell at Premier League club Fulham.

His absence adds to Milan’s injury concerns, with defender Matteo Gabbia and winger Alexis Saelemaekers also sidelined by long-term injuries.

The Rossoneri are reportedly considering recalling Zachary Athekame from his loan spell at Lyon to provide additional cover during Chukwueze’s recovery.

Milan, who remain unbeaten in Serie A this season, face Udinese on Sunday before taking on Inter in the derby on October 31.

There is better news for the Italian side regarding striker Gonçalo Ramos, who has returned to full training after missing the Bournemouth defeat with fatigue in his left calf.

A scan revealed no muscle damage, making the Portuguese forward available for Sunday’s trip to Udinese.

Sports

Nigerian Trio Target Titles At PFL Africa Finals

Published

3 days ago

October 26, 2026

The Tide

Three Nigerians, David Samuel, Patrick Ocheme and Raphael Uchegbu, will fight for titles at the PFL Africa finals after the Professional Fighters League confirmed PFL Rwanda for December 12 at the BK Arena in Kigali.

The promotion announced on October 23 that the event will crown three African champions in the welterweight (170 lbs), lightweight (155 lbs) and bantamweight (135 lbs) divisions.

In the main event, the undefeated Samuel, who has a record of 7-0, will meet Angola’s Shido “Machine” Boris Esperança, who is 13-2, in the welterweight final.

Esperança reached the final with a first-round finish in his semi-final, while Samuel went the distance to keep his perfect record.

“My Nigerian roots opened the door for me to compete in PFL Africa, and reaching the final is a special source of pride for me,” Samuel said. “On December 12, I will step into the cage not just as a finalist, but as a man determined to finish what he started and become a champion.”

Esperança said, “I believe that I can be that champion that the promotion deserves because I have been crafting myself for that.”

Ocheme, whose record stands at 10-1, headlines the co-main event against Senegal’s Demba “Black Tiger” Seck, who is 11-3, in the lightweight final. Ocheme booked his place with a devastating first-round body kick in his semi-final.

“This means a lot to me because finishing fights is what I do best; I am a knockout artist by nature,” Ocheme said. “I trust my preparation, my fight IQ and my ability to get the job done, God willing, in the first or second round.”

Seck responded, “Patrick is a tough opponent, and I always knew our paths could cross in the final. I respect his skills, but I truly believe I am the most complete, technical, strongest, and the most experienced fighter in this division.”

In the bantamweight final, Uchegbu, a former FCC champion with a record of 11-2, faces Liberia’s Dwight Joseph, who is 17-3 and won his semi-final by split decision.

“Winning in the final will change my life, and I look forward to bringing the belt back to the motherland and showing the next generation of African fighters what is possible,” Uchegbu said.

Joseph said, “Coming up short last year motivated me to push even harder this time around. I am getting my hand raised, leaving with that belt, and taking it back to Liberia.”

PFL Rwanda will be shown across Africa on SuperSport for English-speaking viewers and Canal+ for French-speaking audiences. It will also be available on free-to-air television via SportyTV.

PFL Africa General Manager, Elias Schulze, said, “Kigali will take centre stage as we crown Africa’s next champions in front of a global audience. Together with our Rwandan partners, we are giving African talent a world stage, and the next generation something to fight for.”