Sports
Arsenal, Man Utd Square Up, Today
David Moyes’ tactical acumen will be closely scrutinised as Manchester United take on Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium today.
The Scot is facing mounting calls to change United’s attacking approach following the disappointment of being held to a 2-2 draw against bottom side Fulham at Old Trafford on Sunday.
According to Opta, United made more crosses (81) in a single game than any other Premier League team since the start of the 2006-07 season during the Fulham encounter, but were left to rue their wastefulness in the final third.
United also appeared over-reliant on crosses during the 2-1 defeat at Stoke City in their previous game to give Moyes plenty to ponder ahead of a trip to Arsenal.
The fact that today’s game is not a clash between two title rivals – as is traditionally the case – speaks volumes of United’s continued struggles during Moyes’ first season in charge.
The defending champions trail second-placed Arsenal by 14 points and have lost their last three away games in all competitions.
Yet this is a fixture that United has a decent recent record in.
Unbeaten in their last five games against Arsenal and having suffered just one defeat in their previous five visits to the Emirates in all competitions, United know how to grind out results against Arsene Wenger’s men.
But Moyes must inspire a much-improved performance if his players are to prevent Arsenal bouncing back from their 5-1 thrashing at Liverpool on Saturday.
The ease with which Liverpool scored four times in the opening 20 minutes will concern Wenger and the club’s supporters.
Humiliation at Anfield coupled with Chelsea’s 3-0 win over Newcastle United saw Arsenal knocked off top spot in the Premier League.
Wenger, though, is confident of a response against United, pointing to Arsenal’s fine home form as the reason behind his optimism.
Indeed, Arsenal lost only twice at the Emirates in the Premier League in 2013 and are 11 games unbeaten at home in the league – a run that stretches back to the opening day of the season.
There is no question that Arsenal’s success has been built from the back, with the team keeping four successive clean sheets on home soil in the Premier League and seven shut-outs in their last eight league outings at the Emirates.
One United player capable of ending Arsenal’s proud defensive record will need no introduction to Wenger, though.
Former Arsenal striker Robin van Persie has scored eight times in his last nine Premier League games, including the only goal when the two sides met at Old Trafford in November.
Van Persie has netted in each of the three games against his old club since joining United and will be keen to silence the boo-boys as he braces himself for another hostile reception from the Emirates faithful.
The Bayelsa State government, yesterday, announced that the marathon will be held on Saturday, April 4, 2026.
The inaugural race is owned by the Bayelsa State Government and will be organised by Nilayo Sports Management Limited, a sports management company.
Under the theme “The Reveal,” the race represents a bold unveiling of Bayelsa’s immense human and cultural potential to the international community, inviting the world to witness the resilience, grit, and talent rooted in the heart of the Niger Delta.
According to the organisers, the race will be flagged off at 9:30 a.m., at the Opolo Roundabout, guiding participants through a carefully designed 10-kilometre route that highlights the scenic beauty and vibrant atmosphere of Yenagoa.
The course will culminate at Peace Park Square, where athletes will cross the finish line into a grand celebration of endurance, unity, and community spirit.
To elevate the experience for runners and spectators alike, the finish venue will host a high-energy post-race concert featuring performances from top A-list artistes, blending sport and entertainment in a festival-style atmosphere.
The organisers directed all registered participants to collect their race bibs and kits at the designated Peace Park Square between March 30 and April 3, 2026, from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. daily.
The race, according to them, is currently on track for World Athletics accreditation, underscoring the commitment of both the Bayelsa State Government and Nilayo Sports Management Limited to delivering an event that meets the highest global standards.
The Director General of the National Sports Commission (NSC), Bukola Olopade, on Friday continued the Commission’s nationwide appreciation tour with a visit to Abeokuta, where outstanding junior athlete, Majekodunmi Afusat Bisola, was presented with a cheque of N3 million.
The presentation forms part of the NSC’s initiative to recognise and reward exceptional junior athletes who distinguished themselves in 2025 and contributed significantly to Nigeria’s medal haul.
Majekodunmi delivered an impressive run of performances on the track. At the last edition of the National Sports Festival, she stormed to gold in the 400m and the 4x400m relay. She replicated the double triumph at the Confederation of African Athletics (CAA) Junior Championship, in Abeokuta, before emerging as one of the standout stars at the African Youth Games in Luanda, Angola.
Speaking during the presentation, Olopade explained that the Commission deemed it necessary to extend financial appreciation to grassroots athletes after elite performers had earlier received grants running into thousands of dollars.
“A few weeks ago, after paying grants to our elite athletes, we agreed tthere was a need to also appreciate these young, budding talents who made Nigeria proud last year,” he said.
He disclosed that of the 376 medals recorded by Nigerian athletes in 2025, more than 200 were won by grassroots talents, underscoring the importance of sustained investment in youth development.