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Competitors in Saudi Dakar Rally Highlight Next Week’s Event

Saudi Arabia hosted the Dakar Rally in 2020, the first time it was held in the Middle East. (SPA)
Saudi Arabia hosted the Dakar Rally in 2020, the first time it was held in the Middle East. (SPA)
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Competitors in Saudi Dakar Rally Highlight Next Week’s Event

Saudi Arabia hosted the Dakar Rally in 2020, the first time it was held in the Middle East. (SPA)
Saudi Arabia hosted the Dakar Rally in 2020, the first time it was held in the Middle East. (SPA)

A number of racers who are set to take part in Saudi Dakar rally 2021 held a press conference in Jeddah on Thursday to highlight the international event.

They expressed happiness to be in the Kingdom for the second edition of the rally.

The 2021 race kick off from Jeddah on January and end on January 15.

The racers lauded the natural topography of the Kingdom that would test their skill and experience.

Saudi Arabia’s Yazid Al-Rajhi, who came in fourth position in the 2020 event, vowed to overcome previous problems, hoping to win the race.

The Dakar started in 1977 as a race from Paris and across the Sahara desert to the Senegalese capital in West Africa and has long been regarded as the world’s toughest motorsport challenge.

It has been staged in South America since 2009 after leaving Africa for security reasons.

Saudi Arabia’s staging of the event in 2020 marked the first time it was held in the Middle East.

Veteran Spanish driver Carlos Sainz was the winner.

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Arsenal Must Be Ruthless to Earn Statement Win at Sporting, Says Arteta

Arsenal FC head coach Mikel Arteta attends a press conference at Alvalade Stadium, in Lisbon, Portugal, 25 November 2024. Arsenal will face Sporting CP in the UEFA Champions League on 26 November. (EPA)
Arsenal FC head coach Mikel Arteta attends a press conference at Alvalade Stadium, in Lisbon, Portugal, 25 November 2024. Arsenal will face Sporting CP in the UEFA Champions League on 26 November. (EPA)
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Arsenal Must Be Ruthless to Earn Statement Win at Sporting, Says Arteta

Arsenal FC head coach Mikel Arteta attends a press conference at Alvalade Stadium, in Lisbon, Portugal, 25 November 2024. Arsenal will face Sporting CP in the UEFA Champions League on 26 November. (EPA)
Arsenal FC head coach Mikel Arteta attends a press conference at Alvalade Stadium, in Lisbon, Portugal, 25 November 2024. Arsenal will face Sporting CP in the UEFA Champions League on 26 November. (EPA)

Arsenal need to be ruthless to secure a win against Sporting and snap their negative run of form away from home in the Champions League, manager Mikel Arteta said ahead of Tuesday's clash.

Winless in their last four European outings, Arsenal arrive in Portugal following a 1-0 defeat against Inter Milan at San Siro earlier this month.

Arteta's side currently sit 12th in the new Champions League 36-team format, where the top eight teams qualify automatically for the last 16 and the next 16 enter a two-legged playoff to join them.

The Spaniard acknowledged that improving their away form is key to his team's chances in Europe's top-tier club competition.

"It's certainly something we have to improve. We have the right steps, and looking back at the way we played against Inter, we dominated the game and should have won," Arteta told a news conference on Monday.

"But the reality is you have to make it happen, and we didn't. Those steps are what we need to take next - be ruthless and much more efficient in the opposition box.

"We wanted to be higher (in the standings), but it's the position we are in right now.

"We have to play in a way that's going to give us a chance to win the game and fight to do it as quickly as possible. Tomorrow we have a great opportunity to do that."

Sporting, who thrashed Manchester City 4-1 in their last outing, are enjoying an outstanding campaign, remaining unbeaten in second place with 10 points.

Arteta acknowledged the Portuguese champions pose a major challenge for Arsenal but also offer an opportunity for a morale-boosting triumph.

"The run they are on is incredible, which tells you it's not only about their qualities but their ambition and the team energy they have. That's the great challenge we have," he said.

"To come here tomorrow, make a statement, and show that we are capable against this kind of opponent by being ourselves and winning the game."