Football

Gyokeres makes first start, Max Dowman shines again as Villarreal ran out 3-2 winners

Viktor Gyokeres’ first Arsenal start ended in defeat as Villarreal ran out 3-2 winners at the Emirates Stadium despite 15-year-old Max Dowman wowing the crowd again.

Published

7 months ago

August 7, 2025

Adelaide Kuudzerema

Photo: Shutterstock

Viktor Gyokeres’ first Arsenal start ended in defeat as Villarreal ran out 3-2 winners at the Emirates Stadium despite 15-year-old Max Dowman wowing the crowd again.

After a brief cameo in the north London derby defeat to Spurs in Hong Kong, Gyokeres was given an hour by Mikel Arteta, but his Arsenal homecoming was upstaged by another big-money Gunners signing, who was wearing a Villarreal shirt.

Nicolas Pepe, the once-£72m Arsenal record signing, gave the LaLiga side the lead from close range after Pape Gueye’s header came off the post. And more questionable defending saw The Yellow Submarine double their advantage.

Gerard Moreno was found in space in the area and while David Raya saved his shot well, Karl Etta Eyong was on hand to nod home from close range.

Arsenal responded instantly with their favourite weapon – set pieces. Gabriel Martinelli’s corner was headed home by summer signing Christian Norgaard at the far post, the Denmark midfielder showing he can bring his set-piece prowess from his Brentford days to Arsenal.

The Gunners pushed for a leveller in the second half with Gyokeres seeing his best chance of the game kept out at the near post by Luis Junior. But Villarreal would net a third as former Bournemouth and Everton winger Arnaut Danjuma ran clear and finished under Kepa Arrizabalaga into the far corner.

Just as Arsenal looked like they were missing a spark, up stepped Dowman once again. The 15-year-old took the game to his Champions League-level opponents and, like against Newcastle in Singapore, won the Gunners a penalty.

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Football

Emirates FA Cup fifth round draw Results

The Emirates FA Cup fifth round draw has been made for the 2025-26 season, with the eight ties to be scheduled for the weekend of 7-8 March 2026.

Published

5 days ago

February 16, 2026

Adelaide Kuudzerema

The Emirates FA Cup fifth round draw has been made for the 2025-26 season, with the eight ties to be scheduled for the weekend of 7-8 March 2026.

Taking place ahead of Monday evening’s tie between Macclesfield and Brentford, the draw was made by Joe Cole and Karen Carney as clubs look to seal a place in the quarter-final.

Winning clubs in the fifth round will receive £238,500 from the competition prize fund for the 2025-26 season.

The final schedule for the fifth round will be confirmed in due course, following talks with clubs, broadcast partners and local authorities.

The Draw

1 Fulham v Southampton
2 Port Vale or Bristol City v Sunderland
3 Newcastle United v Manchester City
4 Leeds United v Norwich City
5 Mansfield Town v Arsenal
6 Wolverhampton Wanderers v Liverpool
7 Wrexham v Chelsea
8 West Ham United v Macclesfield or Brentford

Football

Arsenal Beat Chelsea to Reach Carabao Cup Final

Arsenal secured their place in the Carabao Cup final after defeating Chelsea 1–0 in the second leg of the semi-final at the Emirates Stadium. The victory sealed a 4–2 aggregate win for the Gunners, booking their first domestic cup final appearance since 2020.

Published

3 weeks ago

February 3, 2026

Adelaide Kuudzerema

The reigning Premier League leaders will face either Manchester City or Newcastle United in the final, scheduled for March 22, 2026, at Wembley Stadium.

Arsenal’s disciplined performance ensured they held off Chelsea’s late pressure, with the decisive goal in the 97th minute by Kai Havertz proving enough to send Mikel Arteta’s side through to a much-anticipated showdown at Wembley.

Football

Nakamba Signs with Sheffield Wednesday

Sheffield Wednesday, a Championship (English second-tier) club, has signed Zimbabwe international Marvelous Nakamba on a deal until the end of the season after he was released by League One (English third tier) side Luton Town FC.

Published

3 weeks ago

February 2, 2026

Adelaide Kuudzerema

The club confirmed the latest development on their social media platforms.

Wednesday have signed Marvelous Nakamba on a free transfer 🦉

Welcome to the Owls, Marvelous! 👊

🔗 https://t.co/poSVzvSHPf pic.twitter.com/mlGdRWAriR
— Sheffield Wednesday (@swfc) February 2, 2026