Arsenal 5-0 Lincoln
Arsenal: Walcott (45’+1) Giroud (53’) Waterfall (58 OG’) Sanchez (72’) Ramsey (75’)
In the end, this was the result and performance that beleaguered Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger needed.
His side did not make things easy for themselves for half of Saturday’s FA Cup quarter-final, but this was ultimately a case of job done as the Premier League outfit kept alive their hopes of silverware in a season which has otherwise been rather underwhelming.
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■ More FA Cup: Manchester City in semi-finals with easy victory over Middlesbrough
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This was not the sort of dominant performance from start to finish that the scoreline suggests, but Arsenal’s extra quality eventually told against opponents 87 places below them in the English football pyramid.
It was Lincoln who started the brighter of the two teams, the visitors winning a free-kick within 20 seconds and refusing to allow Arsenal to settle into any sort of rhythm in the opening stages.
The National League leaders actually enjoyed the majority of possession in the first five minutes, although their game plan thereafter centred on firing long passes to the head of burly centre-forward Matt Rhead or into the channels for his strike partner Jack Muldoon to chase.
Despite their sluggishness Arsenal should have taken the lead in the 10th minute, when Aaron Ramsey dragged his shot wide after a fine cutback from Hector Bellerin. The hosts went close again soon after, but Theo Walcott’s dipping volley was turned onto the post by Paul Farman as around 9,000 Lincoln fans behind him breathed a sigh of relief.
Although Wenger’s side saw plenty of the ball, they struggled to do much with it. Lincoln centre-halves Luke Waterfall and Sean Raggett cut out most of the crosses that were sent into the box, while midfielders Alex Woodyard and Alan Power sat in front of the back four to ensure there were no gaps to be exploited through the middle.
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See also
■ From Barcelona: Fans spur team to greatest of comebacks
■ Predictions: Chelsea set for shock defeat to Manchester United
■ Xabi Alonso: Will be remembered as a great teammate on great teams
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Things could have been even better for the underdogs if Petr Cech’s reflexes were not so sharp. An electric run from Nathan Arnold saw the winger burst past Granit Xhaka and Laurent Koscielny down the right, before his curling effort was palmed behind by the Arsenal goalkeeper.
It looked as though Lincoln had done enough to go in at the interval with the scores level, but they were dealt a cruel blow in first-half stoppage time. Kieran Gibbs squared the loose ball to Walcott after Danny Cowley’s side failed to clear a corner, and the England international’s shot deflected off Sam Habergham before nestling in the bottom corner.
Arsenal began the second half with greater aggression and intensity, and they had their reward in the 53rd minute: Bellerin’s one-two with Alexis Sanchez cut Lincoln’s defence open, with Olivier Giroud on hand to provide the finishing touch.
The home fans were on their feet again less than 300 seconds later, as captain Waterfall inadvertently turned the ball into his own net from Gibbs’s low delivery. Lincoln, tiring by the minute, struggled to pose much of a threat at the other end, as Sanchez got in on the act with a neat finish from 20 yards and Ramsey walked the ball over the line to make it five.
The FA Cup’s importance has clearly diminished in the eyes of the country’s elite, but the competition holds great significance for the remainder of Arsenal’s season. Now through to the semi-finals, a record-breaking seventh triumph could be enough to keep Wenger at the Emirates.
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The President's Cake
Director: Hasan Hadi
Starring: Baneen Ahmad Nayyef, Waheed Thabet Khreibat, Sajad Mohamad Qasem
Rating: 4/5
THE DETAILS
Kaala
Dir: Pa. Ranjith
Starring: Rajinikanth, Huma Qureshi, Easwari Rao, Nana Patekar
Rating: 1.5/5
Teaching in coronavirus times
The Comeback: Elvis And The Story Of The 68 Special
Simon Goddard
Omnibus Press
Avatar: Fire and Ash
Director: James Cameron
Starring: Sam Worthington, Sigourney Weaver, Zoe Saldana
Rating: 4.5/5
EMERGENCY PHONE NUMBERS
Estijaba – 8001717 – number to call to request coronavirus testing
Ministry of Health and Prevention – 80011111
Dubai Health Authority – 800342 – The number to book a free video or voice consultation with a doctor or connect to a local health centre
Emirates airline – 600555555
Etihad Airways – 600555666
Ambulance – 998
Knowledge and Human Development Authority – 8005432 ext. 4 for Covid-19 queries
Who was Alfred Nobel?
The Nobel Prize was created by wealthy Swedish chemist and entrepreneur Alfred Nobel.
- In his will he dictated that the bulk of his estate should be used to fund "prizes to those who, during the preceding year, have conferred the greatest benefit to humankind".
- Nobel is best known as the inventor of dynamite, but also wrote poetry and drama and could speak Russian, French, English and German by the age of 17. The five original prize categories reflect the interests closest to his heart.
- Nobel died in 1896 but it took until 1901, following a legal battle over his will, before the first prizes were awarded.
A cryptocurrency primer for beginners
Cryptocurrency Investing for Dummies – by Kiana Danial
There are several primers for investing in cryptocurrencies available online, including e-books written by people whose credentials fall apart on the second page of your preferred search engine.
Ms Danial is a finance coach and former currency analyst who writes for Nasdaq. Her broad-strokes primer (2019) breaks down investing in cryptocurrency into baby steps, while explaining the terms and technologies involved.
Although cryptocurrencies are a fast evolving world, this book offers a good insight into the game as well as providing some basic tips, strategies and warning signs.
Begin your cryptocurrency journey here.
Available at Magrudy’s , Dh104
More coverage from the Future Forum
Ten tax points to be aware of in 2026
1. Domestic VAT refund amendments: request your refund within five years
If a business does not apply for the refund on time, they lose their credit.
2. E-invoicing in the UAE
Businesses should continue preparing for the implementation of e-invoicing in the UAE, with 2026 a preparation and transition period ahead of phased mandatory adoption.
3. More tax audits
Tax authorities are increasingly using data already available across multiple filings to identify audit risks.
4. More beneficial VAT and excise tax penalty regime
Tax disputes are expected to become more frequent and more structured, with clearer administrative objection and appeal processes. The UAE has adopted a new penalty regime for VAT and excise disputes, which now mirrors the penalty regime for corporate tax.
5. Greater emphasis on statutory audit
There is a greater need for the accuracy of financial statements. The International Financial Reporting Standards standards need to be strictly adhered to and, as a result, the quality of the audits will need to increase.
6. Further transfer pricing enforcement
Transfer pricing enforcement, which refers to the practice of establishing prices for internal transactions between related entities, is expected to broaden in scope. The UAE will shortly open the possibility to negotiate advance pricing agreements, or essentially rulings for transfer pricing purposes.
7. Limited time periods for audits
Recent amendments also introduce a default five-year limitation period for tax audits and assessments, subject to specific statutory exceptions. While the standard audit and assessment period is five years, this may be extended to up to 15 years in cases involving fraud or tax evasion.
8. Pillar 2 implementation
Many multinational groups will begin to feel the practical effect of the Domestic Minimum Top-Up Tax (DMTT), the UAE's implementation of the OECD’s global minimum tax under Pillar 2. While the rules apply for financial years starting on or after January 1, 2025, it is 2026 that marks the transition to an operational phase.
9. Reduced compliance obligations for imported goods and services
Businesses that apply the reverse-charge mechanism for VAT purposes in the UAE may benefit from reduced compliance obligations.
10. Substance and CbC reporting focus
Tax authorities are expected to continue strengthening the enforcement of economic substance and Country-by-Country (CbC) reporting frameworks. In the UAE, these regimes are increasingly being used as risk-assessment tools, providing tax authorities with a comprehensive view of multinational groups’ global footprints and enabling them to assess whether profits are aligned with real economic activity.
Contributed by Thomas Vanhee and Hend Rashwan, Aurifer
The Orwell Prize for Political Writing
Twelve books were longlisted for The Orwell Prize for Political Writing. The non-fiction works cover various themes from education, gender bias, and the environment to surveillance and political power. Some of the books that made it to the non-fiction longlist include:
- Appeasing Hitler: Chamberlain, Churchill and the Road to War by Tim Bouverie
- Some Kids I Taught and What They Taught Me by Kate Clanchy
- Invisible Women: Exposing Data Bias in a World Designed for Men by Caroline Criado Perez
- Follow Me, Akhi: The Online World of British Muslims by Hussein Kesvani
- Guest House for Young Widows: Among the Women of ISIS by Azadeh Moaveni
Labour dispute
The insured employee may still file an ILOE claim even if a labour dispute is ongoing post termination, but the insurer may suspend or reject payment, until the courts resolve the dispute, especially if the reason for termination is contested. The outcome of the labour court proceedings can directly affect eligibility.
- Abdullah Ishnaneh, Partner, BSA Law
Who's who in Yemen conflict
Houthis: Iran-backed rebels who occupy Sanaa and run unrecognised government
Yemeni government: Exiled government in Aden led by eight-member Presidential Leadership Council
Southern Transitional Council: Faction in Yemeni government that seeks autonomy for the south
Habrish 'rebels': Tribal-backed forces feuding with STC over control of oil in government territory
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The%20specs
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Key facilities
- Olympic-size swimming pool with a split bulkhead for multi-use configurations, including water polo and 50m/25m training lanes
- Premier League-standard football pitch
- 400m Olympic running track
- NBA-spec basketball court with auditorium
- 600-seat auditorium
- Spaces for historical and cultural exploration
- An elevated football field that doubles as a helipad
- Specialist robotics and science laboratories
- AR and VR-enabled learning centres
- Disruption Lab and Research Centre for developing entrepreneurial skills
Who has been sanctioned?
Daniella Weiss and Nachala
Described as 'the grandmother of the settler movement', she has encouraged the expansion of settlements for decades. The 79 year old leads radical settler movement Nachala, whose aim is for Israel to annex Gaza and the occupied West Bank, where it helps settlers built outposts.
Harel Libi & Libi Construction and Infrastructure
Libi has been involved in threatening and perpetuating acts of aggression and violence against Palestinians. His firm has provided logistical and financial support for the establishment of illegal outposts.
Zohar Sabah
Runs a settler outpost named Zohar’s Farm and has previously faced charges of violence against Palestinians. He was indicted by Israel’s State Attorney’s Office in September for allegedly participating in a violent attack against Palestinians and activists in the West Bank village of Muarrajat.
Coco’s Farm and Neria’s Farm
These are illegal outposts in the West Bank, which are at the vanguard of the settler movement. According to the UK, they are associated with people who have been involved in enabling, inciting, promoting or providing support for activities that amount to “serious abuse”.
