Lacazette foresees perfect partnership with Iwobi

Arsenal new import Alexandre Lacazette another Alex in Arsene Wenger's squad, is hoping to strike a perfect tag team with Nigerian international Alex Iwobi when the new season kicks off in August.  The France international who scored in his debut for the Gunners against Sydney FC in continuation of pre-season shape up, had Iwobi to thank for providing the timely assist for the goal that saw Arsenal running away with a 2-0 victory.

Lacazette netted within 15 minutes of coming off the substitutes' bench to mark his arrival for a club-record fee in style.

Iwobi made a great ground down the right before squaring for the onrushing Frenchman to slot home with a low finish.

''Happy to score my first goal with my new Team !! Thanks Alex Iwobi, great assist. ’’ Lacazette tweeted.

The highly elated new arrival who joined the Emirates Stadium giants for £52 million is likely to get more time to showcase his skill as the Gunners prepare to face more teams in the pre-season tour.

Arsenal take on Western Sydney Wanderers on Saturday as in continuation of their pre-season trip to Australia.

Lacazette who made 203 appearances for his former club Lyon between 2010 and 2017 scoring 100 goals in the bargain will be hoping to continue his exploits at the Emirates.

His new found partner in progress Alex Iwobi on the other hand has made about 39 appearances for the Gunners with five goals to show for his effort. Iwobi who has been a Gunner through and through, graduated from the youth team into the senior team in 2015.

Iwobi teammates keep a date with Taronga Zoo

Super Eagles forward Alex Iwobi and his Arsenal teammates  enjoyed a day with kangaroos and koala bears at Taronga Zoo in Sydney as they continue their pre-season preparations.

Granit Xhaka and Mohamed Elneny are used to trying to feed strikers hungry for goals.

But they and a number of their Arsenal team-mates swapped footballs for food on Wednesday when they enjoyed a day with the animals at Taronga Zoo in Sydney.

Arsene Wenger's side are currently on a pre-season tour of Australia ahead of the Community Shield against Chelsea and the upcoming Premier League season.

The players were introduced to exotic birds at the zoo, which overlooks the city of Sydney

And a number of his players made the most of their time Down Under to explore some of the country's famous wildlife.

Alex Iwobi, Xhaka, Ainsley Maitland-Niles, Reiss Nelson and Joseph Willock were pictured feeding kangaroos and posing alongside koala bears.

They were also introduced to exotic birds while overlooking downtown Sydney and the famous Harbour Bridge.

The Gunners play two against two local sides in Sydney before moving on to China where they will face Bayern Munich and

Chelsea. Their final pre-season matches see them play Benfica and Sevilla back at the Emirates.

The season's traditional curtain-raiser against Premier League champions Chelsea will take place at Wembley on August 6, just five days before Wenger's side begin their Premier League campaign against Leicester.

Hibernian declare Efe Ambrose wanted

Out of favour Super Eagles defender Efe Ambrose has been declared wanted by his Scottish League side Hibernian.  Ambrose who incidentally contributed in no small measure to getting the side into the premier league is yet to show face at training and the technical crew does not consider it a laughing matter.

Hibernian manager Neil Lennon who is eager to begin very serious preparation for next season is furious with the Nigerian international insisting that his absence amounts to pulling back the hands of the clock while giving a hint that the 28 year old will may face the hammer on return.

“There’s no sign of Efe – so he is in a bit of trouble with the manager now. I can’t get a hold of him at all,” Lennon told Edinburgh News.

“He was given a wee bit of time off, but I think he is pushing the boundaries at the minute. The sooner he is back, for his sake, the better.

“I expected him back a lot sooner than this and it will be getting discussed behind closed doors. He’s got that to look forward to when he gets back!''

Ambrose who made 113 appearances for 48-time Scottish league champions Celtic scoring five goals before moving on loan to championship side Hibernian. He scored his first goal for the side in a 2-1 win against Falkirk and won Scottish Championship player of the month award in March 2017.  He subsequently signed a two year contract with Hibernian and fired the side to premier league promotion.

The newly-promoted Scottish side were 2-0 victorious over Berwick Rangers in their build-up to Saturday's League Cup encounter against Montrose.

Don’t waste this opportunity Ezeji tells CHAN Eagles

Players who have been invited to Eagles camp ahead of CHAN qualifiers have been told to put in their very best as the opportunity given to them does not always come on a platter.

Veteran of the Nigeria league Victor Ezeji who gave the charge, opined that the nation boasts of abundant talents many of who are struggling to have recognition despite their impressive skills. The clamor to have more of the local league players

into the main super Eagles  begins with the players ability to prove himself describing the CHAN platform as the ultimate opportunity.

"You must understand that any list released by the coach will definitely be a subject of debate. It is natural and there is no way every player can be on the list.  But what is important is that those who have been invited must see this as a rare opportunity that should not be wasted. There are always calls for more home based players to be included in the main national team, that will become inevitable if players who have this kind of opportunity to do all they can to prove themselves," he said

The former Club Africain striker expressed optimism that Nigeria will do well in the 2018 CHAN to be hosted by Kenya but insisted that it will require hard work as there are no more minnows in football.

"Nigeria remains a formidable force in football no doubt and we can always achieve whatever goal we set for ourselves but we must work hard and avoid taking any team for granted because there are no minnows anymore," he added

Ezeji who was dubbed the most successful player of the Nigeria football league before he retired, won back to back CAF Champions league with Enyimba in 2003 and 2004.  He played for six clubs viz Sharks, Dolphins, Eagles Cement, Heartland, Enyimba and Sunshine Stars in the course of his career.