Gunner cut ’em down
Arsenal can challenge Man City in title race, says Xhaka
LONDON: Arsenal can cut down the deficit to English Premier League leaders Manchester City and challenge for the title this campaign, said midfielder Granit Xhaka.
Arsenal’s 2-0 win over Tottenham Hotspur on Saturday leaves them sixth in the league on 22 points while City are 12 points ahead after winning 11 of their opening 12 games, but Xhaka believes Arsenal can re-enter the title race.
“I think in football everything is possible,” Xhaka told Sky Sports News.
“Manchester City, at the moment, are on a very good run, they’re doing very well and others have dropped points – which they haven’t done – but it’s conceivable that they could drop points as well.”
City’s dominant run has seen them score 40 league goals and concede just seven to open an eightpoint lead over second-placed Manchester United but Xhaka says Pep Guardiola’s side could slow down and Arsenal must capitalise when they do.
“They might not continue as they have been. But our aim is just to focus on ourselves.
“We know we need to work and we’re convinced that we can compete at the top,” Xhaka added.
“I’m a person who thinks realistically but has dreams and fantasies as well. In football, everything is always possible.”
Arsenal play Cologne in the Europa League tomorrow followed by a trip to seventh-placed Burnley in the league on Sunday.
Meanwhile, the Gunners have appointed Borussia Dortmund’s chief scout Sven Mislintat as their new head of recruitment.
Mislintat has spent 10 years at Dortmund and is credited with helping to recruit players such as Shinji Kagawa, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, Ousmane Dembele and Christian Pulisic.
“He has boosted the club’s scouting under (director of sport) Michael Zorc and because of his services to the club, those in charge decided to give him clearance to leave,” confirmed a Dortmund press spokesman.
“We’d have liked to have kept him, he is a valued member of our staff.” The 45-year-old German, nicknamed “Diamond Eyes” for the talents he spots, will take up his new role in December.
He will work alongside Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger and chief executive Ivan Gazidis to identify potential new signings.