Presidential candidate of the People’s Democratic Party, Atiku Abubakar, on Sunday, vowed to replicate Arsenal’s performance against Chelsea for Nigeria.
Atiku made the vow shortly after Arsenal defeated Chelsea at Stamford Bridge.
“Great win, Arsenal, even after a goalless first half. As Arsenal did in this game for we, the fans, we will also Recover Nigeria for Nigerians,” the PDP presidential candidate stated.
Gabriel scored the winner to return Arsenal to the top of the Premier League in a hard-fought 1-0 win over Chelsea at Stamford Bridge.
The central defender poked a probing goalward-bound looped effort from Bukayo Saka over the line for the only goal of the game in the 63rd minute.
Chelsea had been looking to return to winning ways in the league having been hammered 4-1 at Brighton the previous weekend, with manager Graham Potter suffering his first defeat since he took charge of the club in September.
However, the Blues struggled to impose themselves on the game and finished with just two shots on target.
Chelsea’s Kai Havertz had the best of the early chances in the first 10 minutes. After being played in down the left at the edge of the box, he managed to get a shot away but it did not trouble Aaron Ramsdale in the Arsenal goal.
The Gunners had an opportunity of their own in the 18th minute when Gabriel Martinelli tried his luck from range but it flew over the bar.
Another chance fell the way of the visitors when Martinelli tried to pick out Gabriel Jesus at the far post but the Arsenal forward was unable to direct his header from point-blank range goalwards.
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, facing his former club for the first time since leaving the Gunners by mutual consent in February, was routinely booed and jeered by the traveling support.
After a quiet first half, he had a half-chance at the start of the second but his attempted strike was blocked.
Arsenal had looked the more likely to break the deadlock but they did not have a shot on target until Gabriel made the decisive breakthrough.
Saka’s corner was not dealt with by the Chelsea defense and it looked on course to be already heading for the back of the net but Gabriel made sure.
Following the goal, Arsenal looked the most likely to find the net for a second time.
Martin Odegaard missed an opportunity to add to Arsenal’s tally when he was played in expertly by Jesus on a quick counter-attack. The Norway international had time to take a touch and create space to shoot from the edge of the box but his effort sailed over the bar.
Going behind sparked a bit more from Chelsea, as they looked to attack on the break, with Ben White having to get to the ball ahead of the Blues forward line and Gabriel also hooking the ball clear in the final 10 minutes.
However, the home side did not significantly test Ramsdale in rainy conditions in southwest London.
