MONCHI FAN-FIGHT EXIT
UNAI EMERY is approaching Amen corner in his first season as Arsenal coach.
Two home games in five days, against Manchester United and Rennes, will determine whether Emery’s baptism in English football peters out in disappointment – or bears the promise of a silver lining. Defeat tomorrow by United – who won at the Emirates in the FA Cup two months ago – will leave the Gunners facing an uphill battle to finish in the top four.
And Emery’s depleted squad, hit by three red cards in as many weeks, must overturn a 3-1 deficit from the first leg in Brittany to reach the Europa League quarter-finals. Lucas Torreira sits out the United clash after his late dismissal in the north London derby last weekend, but Emery (below) is optimistic his squad will cope.
He said: “We are finding for each match fresh players with different energies, and Sunday will be the same.
“We and United are together in the table. We played against them in the
FA Cup and, although we lost 3-1, I remember we did many good things and created chances.”
Arsenal’s 22-match unbeaten run before Christmas seemed a distant memory as they were run ragged in Rennes after Greek defender Sokratis was sent off for two bookings in the space of seven minutes before half-time.
Fans were unhappy with 19-year-old midfielder Matteo ARSENAL-bound Monchi has quit Roma after clashing with fans following the Italian club’s Champions League exit this week. The Spanish sporting director apologised after telling angry Giallorossi supporters he would “take on each of you one by one” at Porto airport. Guendouzi’s half-baked tracking back in the build-up to Ismaila Sarr’s flying header two minutes from time, which gave Rennes a two-goal cushion to protect in the second leg. But Guendouzi has been good value since his £7million move from Lorient last summer, with only Torreira and Alex Iwobi making more appearances for Arsenal this season.
And he is ready for the twin challenges of United and Rennes facing the Gunners this week, saying: “We know the fixture list is not favourable but we have worked hard to prepare. “We played well at Tottenham, and now we’ll get our heads down and focus on United. We knew it would be difficult against Rennes after the red card but they still have to come to our place and we are very strong at home.” Monchi left the club by mutual consent yesterday to clear the way for him to re-unite with Unai Emery and head up Arsenal’s transfer policy on a threeyear deal.
The two won three consecutive Europa League titles together at Sevilla before Emery left for Paris Saint-Germain in 2016.