20/05/2025

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Wait goes on for Gunners Arteta apologises for failing to deliver Arsenal Premier League title

Ű BY PHILIP DUNCAN

M IKEL ARTETA apologised to Arsenal supporters for failing to deliver on his dream of ending the club’s two-decade wait for a Premier League title. Declan Rice’s second-half strike fired Arsenal to a 1-0 win over Newcastle and confirmed their place in the Champions League next season. However, the Gunners failed to launch a serious challenge to Liverpool this season and are set to finish runners-up in the League for a third consecutive campaign. They were also eliminated in the semifinals of both the Champions League and Carabao Cup with Arsenal’s trophy drought extended into a fifth year. Addressing the Emirates crowd at the final whistle, Arteta, whose FA Cup triumph in 2020 remains the sole trophy of his tenure, said: “We had a dream, and it was to be here now, or in a week’s time and bringing the big trophies to you guys but we couldn’t do it for AFTER all the emotional build-up to Everton’s heart-wrenching farewell game at their beloved Goodison Park, manager David Moyes was concerned the moment might be too much for his team. He need not have worried as his players handled the occasion with ease, Iliman Ndiaye scoring twice as they beat relegated Southampton 2-0 yesterday as the stadium known as the Grand Old Lady hosted its final Premier League game after 133 years. “I was worried today. Everybody’s been talking about this for so long,” Moyes told reporters. “The scenes outside the stadium were incredible, really. It felt like a club which is needing some big days, some big things in the future. So let’s hope this is the start of it. “But I tried to make a point to the players that what couldn’t happen was that we left here not finishing it off right. (But) we’ve done the job which we needed. We’ve got 45 points (and stand 13th in the league table). “The pressure was off the players today because of that (being clear of relegation), but it was also on because of the occasion, because of the greats who were sitting watching them.” Dozens of Everton icons, including Tim Cahill, Wayne Rooney and Duncan Ferguson, were at Goodison to take part in a post-game celebration that had fans in their seats – some singing, others sobbing – long after the final whistle blew. “I’ve been here a while and I know what it means. It’s been a great stadium,” said 62 year-old Scot Moyes, who managed Everton from 2002-2013 before rejoining the club this year. Everton end the season at Newcastle United on May 25, and then will move into their new stadium at Bramley-Moore Dock for the next campaign. The club announced earlier this week that their women’s team, who play in the Women’s Super League, would make a permanent move to Goodison from next season. – AFP NUNO ESPIRITO SANTO and his Nottingham Forest players dedicated the 2-1 win over West Ham which kept their Champions League hopes alive to stricken teammate Taiwo Awoniyi. Striker Awoniyi is recovering from emergency abdominal surgery, having been placed in an induced coma, after colliding with a goalpost in the previous weekend’s Premier League home draw against Leicester. The 27-year-old revealed on Sunday that he feels lucky to be alive, writing on Instagram : “With the Ű BY ANDY SIMS Moyes told players to ensure positive Goodison finish

“We have to take all the experiences, good and bad, and come back better. And we will that pain of not winning but come back stronger and bring trophies to this club.” Newcastle dominated the opening half at the Emirates, but they failed to take any of their chances. Alexander Isak, who has scored 29 times this season and has been linked with a summer move to Arsenal, was a notable absentee with a groin injury and Eddie Howe said he was uncertain if his star striker will be available to face Everton in their final game. “That is unknown,” said Howe. “He only felt pain after training. He want for a scan this morning, more as a precaution, but it became

obvious he would be fit to play. A lot will depend on how he reacts in the next couple of days.” Newcastle’s Champions League fate remains in their hands, but they will start the final day level on points with Chelsea and Aston Villa, albeit with a superior goal difference. Howe added: “We are in a strong position. This game has gone and we just have to focus on getting our game plan right for next week. “The prize is so big and everyone is fighting for it. We have worked hard to get the job done and now it is going to go to the end, and who knows what twists and turns there will be. We just need one more big effort.” – The Independent

many circumstances. “We need to make sure chasing a dream doesn’t get blurry, and make sure we chase the dream with enthusiasm and positivity next season. “We have started to create our own history here in the stadium. There is much more to come but it won’t be easy. We have to do it together. “Let me tell you, this group of players have the hunger, quality, and talent and we are going to make it happen.” Captain Martin Odegaard added: “We can be very proud of what we have done this season, especially in the Champions League. But we have not been good enough in the League.

Vardy bows out in style

Ű BY SUNNY BADWAL

Leicester City fans display a banner for Jamie Vardy. – REUTERSPIC

JAMIE VARDY reflected on an “amazing” and “rollercoaster” career with Leicester after scoring a landmark 200th goal in his 500th and final appearance for the Foxes. The 38-year-old former England striker reached the goal milestone in the 28th minute of Leicester’s home match with Ipswich when he latched on to James Justin’s through ball and expertly slipped it beyond Alex Palmer before wheeling away to celebrate in front of the away fans. Kasey McAteer struck midway through the second half to seal a 2-0 victory for Leicester in a match between two teams who will be playing Championship football next season, but the day belonged to Vardy, who was given a guard of honour by teammates when he was substituted with 10 minutes remaining. After the match, Vardy was also presented with the fans’ player of the season award in front of the crowd alongside a golden fox to celebrate his 200 goals for the club, which he reached exactly 13 years to the date he signed from Fleetwood. During that time, the 2019-20 Premier League Golden Boot winner

is someone we admire, his smile is contagious and the boys did it for him. We are so proud.” Nikola Milenkovic added a controversial second goal, and although Jarrod Bowen pulled one back with a spectacular volley, Forest – already assured of some form of European football next season – set up a potential last-day shoot-out with Chelsea for the fifth and final Champions League place. “Huge,” added Nuno. “I think since the beginning of the season we wanted to be in this fight, we achieved it, the last game at the City Ground will be huge for us and we are trying to make something magical.” – The Independent helped Leicester produce the “great escape” from relegation in 2015 before lifting the Premier League title at 5,000-1 odds the following year, and then an FA Cup win in 2021. In an on-pitch interview, Vardy said: “It’s been amazing, it’s been a rollercoaster, it really has. “But the good thing is there’s been way, way, way more highs and I thank everyone. I never thought we’d be in the Champions League, we’d win the League and we’ve all been there for a reason. “The only thing I really can say, from the bottom of my heart, is thank you for taking me and my family in as one of your own. Thank you all so much. “I missed a couple before that but once JJ (Justin) put me through there I was never going to miss it. Asked about the future of Leicester without him, Vardy said: “They’ll be fine. We’ve got a good squad and we’ve got all the youngsters coming through as well. “I’m glad I’m not them because football is a killer, mentally, and I couldn’t do it all again if I’m honest. “But I’ve enjoyed every minute of it and I look forward to keeping an eye on the club I love.” – The Independent

Jamie Vardy celebrates after scoring. – REUTERSPIC

Win at West Ham for Awoniyi, says Nuno

grace of God, I am grateful to still be here, to still be fighting, to still be smiling, and to be in good spirits.” Forest’s players warmed up wearing shirts with Awoniyi’s name and No. 9 on the back, with a message on the front reading “We’re all with you Taiwo”. Captain Morgan Gibbs-White then held up Awoniyi’s shirt to the crowd after opening the scoring. Gibbs-White told Sky Sports: “The whole week

has been tough on everyone. Wednesday was our first day back in and the place was pretty lifeless, everyone was praying and wishing him well. “He’s come round on a good path, we’re all wishing him well and that win today was for him.” Forest boss Nuno added: “Since the beginning of our preparations ‘T’ was on our minds due to the seriousness of the situation, and the boys really wanted to do it for him. “That was our final words, ‘let’s give it a push’. He