TOMIYASU RETURNS AGAINST VILLA

 TAKEHIRO TOMIYASU TO RETURN AGAINST ASTON VILLA

Arsenal's Japanese wing back, Takehiro Tomiyasu is most likely to make a sensational return against Steven Gerrard's men at Villa Park later today(12:30 GMT) after a prolonged injury layoff.

The gunners play away to the Villans three days after a painful defeat to Liverpool with Diogo Jota and Firmino scoring a goal each to truncate the winning streak of the men in red and white. 

With Tomiyasu returning, the gunners can count on him for a solid display at wing back. The 23 year old joined the North London side from Italian side Bologna and has since been a permanent feature at the defense until his unfortunate injury layoff.

Speaking to the media ahead of matchday, Arsenal Head Coach Mikel Arteta said, "There is a chance, but we don't know, again today in training we will see how he's feeling."

"Because he had a reoccurring injury around the same place and then obviously after that you have to be a little more cautious sometimes", said Arteta.

Arsenal, who currently sit in 4th place with 51 points are pushing for a return to Champions league action after missing out on the biggest stage since the departure of the legendary Arsene Wenger.

FANTASTIC CRISTIANO SPARES MAGUIRE'S BLUSH

 

Manchester United forward Cristiano Ronaldo scored a superb hat trick against Tottenham Hotspurs at the Theatre of Dreams on Saturday night as the Red Devil's leapfrogged Arsenal into fourth spot on the English Premier League table.  

The Portuguese legend struck first in the 12th minute as he latched onto a wonderful flick by Brazilian midfielder, Fred. Cristiano's pile-driver was so ferocious that Spurs goalkeeper Hugo Lloris had no chance for a save. 

CR7 was on the score sheet once again in the 38th minute after Harry Kane had briefly restored parity from the spot after Alex Telles handled the ball in the area. The rejuvenated Jadon Sancho did all the hard work and put it on a plate for Ronaldo to tap in. 

The much-villified United skipper, Harry Maguire drove a dagger through the hearts of the devils' fanbase with an own-goal in the 72nd minute as David de Gea looked on helplessly.

The encounter looked all but destined for a 2-2 draw as Ralf Rangnick and Antonio Conte tried to outdo one another tactically from the technical area. 

Cometh the hour, cometh the hero, Cometh the man Cristiano Ronaldo who planted a firm header into the Spurs net in the 81st to send the stadium into delirium and most importantly secure all three points for Ralf Rangnick's side. 

PRESSURE MOUNTS ON OTTO ADDO

 

The interim head coach of the senior national football team, the Black Stars of Ghana, Otto Addo has come under intense pressure to release his squad list to face the Super Eagles of Nigeria in the World Cup, Qatar 2022 playoff matches to be staged on 25th March and 29th March, 2022 respectively.  

Reports picked up by mybssports.blogspot.com indicates that Otto Addo has already presented the provisional squad list to the management committee of the Black Stars pending approval. 

SWAG journalist of the year, Saddick Adams tweeted, " Per the programme outline of the Black Stars, the squad was handed to the Management Committee this week and was expected to be announced on Thursday after the committee meeting." 

"Alhaji Karim Grunsah confirms the meeting couldn't happen. Management will likely meet early next week", Adams further reported. 

Pressure has been mounting on Otto Addo amid speculations of interference and lack of transparency in issues relating to player selection amongst others.

Former Joysports anchor Dennis Mirpuri wrote on his twitter timeline, "Welcome to Ghana, where FA managers, with no technical training, have to approve squads presented by Black Stars coaches."

"Why, are we not releasing our squad list against Nigeria again?", quizzed ace sports journalist Michael Oti Adjei.

It remains to be seen as to when and how the squad list will be announced to football loving Ghanaians.  

PEPÉ WINS ARSENAL'S GOAL OF THE MONTH AWARD

 

Ivorian international, Nicolas Pepé has won Arsenal's goal of the month award for February with his fantastic strike against Wolverhampton Wanderers.

This follows closely on the heel of Thomas Partey who won Arsenal's player of the month award. 

February indeed has been a fantastic month for African players plying their trade in the prestigious North London Club.

"The Ivorian forward collected the ball in the box and span away from his marker in one move, before firing in at the near post for a vital late strike", as reported by Arsenal.com

Pepe received 47% of total votes cast, followed closely by Katie McCabe's (Arsenal Women) stunner against Liverpool. 

The gunners' top scorer his season, Emile Smith Rowe came a distant third with his driving run and finish against Brentford.

TO CALL OR NOT TO CALL

 

Accra Hearts of Oak midfielder, Sulley Ali Muntari was on target for the Phobians as they pipped the relegation-threatened West African Football Academy (WAFA) lads 2-1 at the Accra Sports Stadium. 

The midfield ace was on target in the 72nd minute as he struck from the spot after Patrick Razak was brought down in the area.

Muntari has been in fantastic shape since re-joining the Ghana Premier League and was instrumental as the Phobians lifted the prestigious President's Cup after beating Kumasi Asante Kotoko 2-1. 

It remains to be seen if his performances so far have attracted the attention of former team-mate, Otto Addo who now manages the senior national team.

Otto Addo is set to release his squad to face the Super Eagles of Nigeria in a double header for a place in Qatar 2022. 

In a post-match interview with Startimes TV, Muntari was not forthcoming with an emphatic response as he was quizzed on his interest in the Black Stars.

"Time will tell, we will see" as he responded to a question from the Startimes reporter. 

PARTEY WINS BIG !!!

 PARTEY WINS ARSENAL PLAYER OF THE MONTH FOR FEBRUARY.

Ghana international, Thomas Teye Partey has been voted as Arsenal's player of the month for February.

Partey polled a whopping 49% of the total votes cast to beat off competition from Norwegian Martin Odegaard and Arsenal whiz kid Bukayo Saka.

The Ghanaian has been in great form through out the month of February as Arsenal won all three Premier League games.

Thomas was extremely dominant in midfield as Arsenal with 10 men for twenty minutes defeated Wolves away 0-1 at Molineux. 

The midfield ace was in fantastic shape as a determined Brentford side were torn apart by Ivorian Nicolas Pepe in the latter part of the game with the gunners winning 2-1.

Partey goes into the history books as the first Ghanaian international to win the coveted award. 

Story filed by Vigour Edem Vigor( Head of Sports at mybssports.blogspot.com)