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BREAKING: Arsenal route to Champions League final confirmed as Mikel Arteta learns round of 16 opponents

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Arsenal will face PSV Eindhoven in the Champions League round of 16, it has been confirmed.

The draw for the last-16 was held in Nyon, Switzerland on Friday, with the Gunners one of eight seeded teams after they finished in the top eight of the league phase.

With the Champion League now using a bracket system, just like in major international tournaments, Arsenal and the 15 other clubs still in the competition now know their possible route to the final, which will be played in Munich on May 31.

Arsenal were drawn on the silver side of the draw and will face PSV in the last-16. The Dutch side knocked Juventus out 4-3 on aggregate in the play-off round so will be a stern test for Mikel Arteta’s Squad.

Elsewhere in the round of 16, Aston Villa were drawn against Club Brugge, Borussia Dortmund were drawn against Lille, Atletico Madrid were drawn against Real Madrid, Bayer Leverkusen were drawn against Bayern Munich, Feyenoord were drawn against Inter, PSG were drawn against Liverpool and Barcelona were drawn against Benfica.

With Arsenal on the silver side of the draw, the Gunners know that they will face one of Real Madrid or Atletico Madrid in the quarter-final, should they progress past PSV. The first leg of the quarter-final would be played at Emirates Stadium. Arsenal’s possible semi-final opponents include one of Liverpool, PSG, Club Brugge or Aston Villa.

As Arsenal were seeded for the draw, they will play at home in the round of 16 second leg. The first legs of the round of 16 will be played on March 4 and March 5, and the second legs will be played on March 11 and March 12.

Each club plays once on a Tuesday and once on a Wednesday.

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Ex-Super Eagles Coach, Oliseh Gets IFAB Appointment

Oliseh confirmed this appointment via his official X account on Monday.

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Former Super Eagles coach, Sunday Oliseh, has landed a new role with the International Football Association Board, IFAB.

IFAB is the global guardian of football’s laws, responsible for determining the laws of football, shaping the beautiful game for players and fans worldwide.

Oliseh confirmed this appointment via his official X account on Monday.

He wrote: “Thrilled to announce my appointment to the International Football Association Board (IFAB)!

“Honored to contribute to its mission!”Oliseh’s appointment to the IFAB board will see the former Dortmund and Juventus midfielder work with some of football’s most influential figures, including legendary Arsenal boss, Arsène Wenger.

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Future National Sports Festival to hold November/ December – Dikko

He added that the Commission, in line with the President’s directive, is working to transform sports into a key economic driver.

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The Chairman of the National Sports Commission (NSC), Mallam Shehu Dikko, says that the Commission is developing a national calendar that will set November and December as the fixed months for hosting the festival.

Dikko disclosed this during a World Media Chat held at the Local Organizing Committee Secretariat, yesterday.

He commended Ogun State for its outstanding hosting of the ongoing National Sports Festival, describing it as a game-changer for sports development in Nigeria.

He called on other states aspiring to host future editions to emulate and improve on the standard set by Ogun.

Dikko noted that the entire country is taking note of the impressive organization and swift handling of challenges during the festival.

“This festival is a major improvement from previous editions.

“It is normal to experience hitches in events of this magnitude, but the prompt resolution of those issues shows great commitment. This edition will serve as a benchmark for future games.”Dikko emphasized.

He added that the Commission, in line with the President’s directive, is working to transform sports into a key economic driver.

“We are building a sports economy—beyond the games, we are looking at job creation, the value chain, and revenue generation.

Ogun’s example is now motivating other states to step forward and host,” he explained.

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Saudi Arabia to lift 73-year-old alcohol ban ahead of FIFA World Cup 2034

Around 600 such licensed venues across the country are expected to be permitted to serve alcohol under the new guidelines.

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The kingdom of Saudi Arabia is preparing to partially lift its 73-year-old ban on alcohol sales in 2026.

The change comes as part of broader efforts to align with global expectations ahead of hosting major international events like Expo 2030 and the FIFA World Cup 2034.

The Economic Times, reported that alcohol will be available in a strictly controlled manner, limited to select zones such as luxury hotels, high-end resorts, and designated tourist destinations.

Around 600 such licensed venues across the country are expected to be permitted to serve alcohol under the new guidelines.

However, there will be clear limitations. Only milder forms of alcohol – beer, wine, and cider will be allowed.

Spirits and hard liquors will remain prohibited. Importantly, alcohol consumption will not be permitted in homes, shops, or general public areas.

Saudi Arabia and Kuwait are the only Gulf countries that prohibit the sale of alcohol.

A minor move to allow alcoholic drinks to be consumed in the kingdom was the opening of the first alcohol store in the capital, Riyadh, last year serving exclusively non-Muslim diplomats.

Prior to that, alcohol was available only through diplomatic mail or on the black market.

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