Arsenal Must Stop Squandering Points, Says Jesus

16 April 2023, United Kingdom, London: West Ham United's Jarrod Bowen scores his side's second goal during the English Premier League match between West Ham United and Arsenal at the London Stadium. (dpa)
16 April 2023, United Kingdom, London: West Ham United's Jarrod Bowen scores his side's second goal during the English Premier League match between West Ham United and Arsenal at the London Stadium. (dpa)
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Arsenal Must Stop Squandering Points, Says Jesus

16 April 2023, United Kingdom, London: West Ham United's Jarrod Bowen scores his side's second goal during the English Premier League match between West Ham United and Arsenal at the London Stadium. (dpa)
16 April 2023, United Kingdom, London: West Ham United's Jarrod Bowen scores his side's second goal during the English Premier League match between West Ham United and Arsenal at the London Stadium. (dpa)

Arsenal must maintain the intensity for a full 90 minutes if they are to challenge for the Premier League title, forward Gabriel Jesus said after they squandered a two-goal lead in Sunday's 2-2 draw at West Ham United.

Arsenal were rampant early on and looked well placed to restore their six-point cushion over Manchester City after Jesus tapped home in the seventh minute and Martin Odegaard doubled their lead with a volley three minutes later.

However, Arsenal then lost their momentum and the hosts fought back through Said Benrahma and Jarrod Bowen. Bukayo Saka missed a second-half penalty for Arsenal, who lead Manchester City by four points but have played a game more.

Arsenal also let a 2-0 lead slip against Liverpool earlier this month and Jesus told the club's website they had to stop letting opponents off the hook.

"Once again, the three points were in our hands," he said. "The game is 90 minutes, it's not 20, in this case, today, 30 minutes. As a team, we have to raise the level and come back to our principles.

"We know our strength, we know what we can do. Where we want to attack the opponent, in the first 10 to 20 minutes we did so good, after that we dropped our level and that obviously cannot happen if you want to fight for the title."

Arsenal host Southampton on Friday before travelling to second-placed City on April 26.



Seven-times French Champions Lyon Relegated to Ligue 2

Soccer Football - Ligue 1 - Olympique Lyonnais v Olympique de Marseille - Groupama Stadium, Lyon, France - September 22, 2024 Olympique Lyonnais' Maxence Caqueret reacts REUTERS/Manon Cruz/File Photo
Soccer Football - Ligue 1 - Olympique Lyonnais v Olympique de Marseille - Groupama Stadium, Lyon, France - September 22, 2024 Olympique Lyonnais' Maxence Caqueret reacts REUTERS/Manon Cruz/File Photo
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Seven-times French Champions Lyon Relegated to Ligue 2

Soccer Football - Ligue 1 - Olympique Lyonnais v Olympique de Marseille - Groupama Stadium, Lyon, France - September 22, 2024 Olympique Lyonnais' Maxence Caqueret reacts REUTERS/Manon Cruz/File Photo
Soccer Football - Ligue 1 - Olympique Lyonnais v Olympique de Marseille - Groupama Stadium, Lyon, France - September 22, 2024 Olympique Lyonnais' Maxence Caqueret reacts REUTERS/Manon Cruz/File Photo

Olympique Lyonnais (EEFG.PA), have been relegated to Ligue 2, French football's financial watchdog (DNCG) said on Tuesday following an audit of the club, which said it would appeal the decision immediately.

Lyon were provisionally demoted by the DNCG in November due to the poor state of their finances and the decision was confirmed on Tuesday after a meeting between club owner John Textor and the DNCG.

The club criticised the decision in a statement on Tuesday and said it had worked closely with the DNCG, satisfying all their requests.

"Olympique Lyonnais takes note of the incomprehensible decision handed down by the DNCG this evening and confirms that it will appeal immediately," the club said, Reuters reported.

"With demonstrated funds and sporting success that has earned us a place in European competition two years running, we sincerely fail to understand how an administrative decision could relegate such a great French club."

The decision to relegate Lyon comes a day after US businessman Textor sold a 43% stake in English club Crystal Palace.

"Thanks to the equity contributions from our shareholders and the sale of Crystal Palace, our cash position has improved considerably and we have more than sufficient resources for the 2025/26 season," the Lyon statement added.

In October, Textor’s Eagle Football Group revealed debts totalling around 422 million pounds ($574.85 million), raising concerns about the French club's financial stability.

Since then, Lyon have raised funds by offloading several players, including Maxence Caqueret to Como and Rayan Cherki to Manchester City.

The club, however, have been unable to convince the authorities that their financial situation has improved enough to have the sanctions lifted.

The 59-year-old Textor gave a positive assessment of their financial position prior to the decision being announced.

"You can see from the contributions of our shareholders, we have invested new capital, not only for the DNCG, but also for our UEFA licensing process. Not to mention the good news of the sale of Crystal Palace. Our liquidity situation has improved considerably," he told reporters earlier on Tuesday.

Lyon, who were crowned French Champions seven times between 2002 and 2008, qualified for next season's Europa League following a sixth-placed finish in Ligue 1.

Should the decision stand, Stade de Reims, who were demoted from Ligue 1 in the relegation playoffs after losing to Metz, will take Lyon’s spot next season in the French top tier.