MIK WANTS A HOLIDAY
Europa days off up for grabs
MIKEL ARTETA has told his Arsenal players to get the job done, win their Europa League group and qualify for a holiday bonus.
The Gunners host PSV Eindhoven this evening, the Dutch side managed by former Manchester United striker Ruud van Nistelrooy.
While van Nistelrooy, below, and his previous rivalry with Arsenal will be front and centre in this rearranged fixture, Arteta wants his side to just focus on taking all three points and securing a place in the knockout stages in style.
Then the target must shift to winning Group A and going straight to next March’s round of 16 – missing out February’s 32-team round of knockout play-offs, which will include the Champions League drop-outs.
The Gunners manager said: “For sure that is important this season, because we have never played this many games as we will after the World Cup. Any games that you can skip it’s a big bonus.
“As group winners you skip two matches, and also miss some of the top teams that have been knocked out of the Champions League.
“There is a chance to take advantage in this game, and we simply have to do it.
“You don’t know what happens in the next game. It will be a really tough match against PSV.”
Matt Turner will again line up in goal for Arsenal – the summer signing from New England is getting his chance between the posts in the Europa League.
The USA international will clash with England at the World Cup, and revealed the unusual route he took to bonding with the English game – and making the decision to be a boyhood Arsenal fan.
“I mean it’s not really the best story ever about supporting Arsenal,” the goalkeeper said.
“It was after the World Cup in 2010 that I bought my first version of the FIFA video game and when it says, ‘What club do you want to support or select?’... obviously ‘A’ came up first in the list and Arsenal was there!
“But also I made that link because my sisters both played for a local club team that was called The Arsenal, and so I just made that connection right there, and kind of stuck with it. “Through the early 2010s there were some really great times to be an Arsenal fan and I would get up nice and early for the games, depending on what time kick-off was. “Then, as I got a bit older, I got into the pub culture in New York City, so I’ve been around the supporters for those types of atmospheres as well.”