Arsenal back into CL contention
London, Feb. 17: Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta said he still only wants the best for former employers Manchester City, even though a European ban for the English champions could give the Gunners a route into next season’s Champions League.
A 4-0 win over Newcastle on Sunday lifted Arsenal up to 10th in the Premier League, but just six points adrift of Tottenham in fifth.
City’s two-season ban handed down by UEFA on Friday means fifth will be enough to secure a Champions League place unless the champions succeed in overturning that sanction at the Court of Arbitration for Sport.
Arteta, who left City to take his first senior managerial role at the Emirates in December, could now be the beneficiary of his former club’s punishment.
“It’s very difficult. I want the best for Manchester City, the best for Pep (Guardiola) and the players. The only thing I want for them is positive and good things,” said the Spaniard.
“I just want to do for Arsenal the best I can.”
SON STRIKES LATE WINNER AT VILLA Tottenham manager Jose Mourinho also believes City’s two-season ban has opened the door for a host of teams to qualify for next season’s competition.
Mourinho’s men moved up to fifth in the Premier League — which could be enough to secure Champions League football should City’s appeal against the ban fail — thanks to Son Heungmin’s stoppage time winner to beat Aston Villa 3-2 on Sunday.
Spurs are also now just one point behind Mourinho’s old club Chelsea.