LUC BEHIND YOU, WARNS BOSS WENG
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ARSENE WENGER has taken out a contract on the rest of the Premier League. The Arsenal boss has hired a “killer” – in a football sense, of course. And while Lucas Perez isn’t even in the Gunners’ title-chasing line-up, Wenger believes he could have an important role to play. Lucas, 28, was a £17million signing from Deportivo La Coruna in August. And the Spain striker demonstrated his predatory power with a 39-minute hat-trick in Arsenal’s recent 4-1 win in Switzerland against Basel in the Champions League. Arsenal boss Wenger, who takes his team to Manchester City today, says of the hitman: “In front of goal, he is a killer. “He has a short backlift and is a very good finisher. “I believe he’s a guy who has all the qualities you want. “He is quick, has good stamina, high energy and that finishing abillity.” Arsenal need a positive result today after their 14-match unbeaten run in the league came to an end at Everton on Tuesday night. That was a game in which Lucas (left) – as he is known – came on as a late substitute. PAUL HETHERINGTON
And now, at 45, he is clever enough to know that he won’t ever do an Arsene Wenger or Sir Alex Ferguson – coaches who have amassed two years more than his age between them in management.
Guardiola definitely won’t be opening a bumper Etihad wage packet at the same time others his age are picking up their pension.
The Manchester City boss – asked ahead of today’s clash with Arsenal if he’d like to stay for the next 20 years – responded with a slow shake of the head.
Guardiola said: “That is not going to happen because I’m not going to train in 20 years’ time. I think Arsenal and what happened with Sir Alex Ferguson (right) is an exception in world football.
“You have to be clear. You have to be happy where you are. The chairman has to trust a lot in you. It doesn’t matter what happens to your ideas. They know exactly what you have to do.
“In terms of results, Arsene won titles. We cannot and is loving playing at White Hart Lane under a boss he respects immensely.
The defender said: “He is very important to me and the club. He has an idea of how he wants us to play football and I think that is good to have a manager who is very clear. “He is one of the best I’ve worked for. “I have been very lucky with managers – Simeone, De Boer, Van Basten are fantastic names to have worked with. He’s up there and is very