BEACH BAWL
Wenger: Holiday mode clubs could kill us off Pep: You should try winning, not whining
PEP GUARDIOLA has hit out at Arsene Wenger’s claim that Arsenal’s Champions League dream could be ruined by sides already on the beach.
The Gunners take on Sunderland tonight in a game they must win if they are to gatecrash the top four. But Wenger seems more worried about the effort West Brom will put in at Manchester City tonight.
The Arsenal boss said: “Some teams turn up, some teams are on holiday. To be professional is to do your job well until the last day of the
season. To look into the mirror and say you did it properly is vital. If we don’t have the results I am disappointed, but to not give your best is inexcusable.”
City play Watford on Sunday while Liverpool, in third spot, are favourites to beat relegated Middlesbrough on the final day.
Arsenal sign off the season with a home game against Everton, and Guardiola insisted Wenger will only have himself to blame if Arsenal are not playing Champions League football next season.
“I don’t understand how the managers speak for the other clubs and the other teams,” said the City boss.
“I never saw one player in my life go to the pitch and not try to win the game.
“He (Wenger) plays against Everton and Sunderland, no? Both teams are done, no? One is relegated and one is in the Europa League, so it’s the same situation, so you don’t want to complain.
“Do it better during the season and you will not have this problem.”
Wenger’s concern comes after watching West Ham’s 4-0 surrender to Liverpool on Sunday. He added: “We had to fight very hard at Stoke and Southampton. But some teams once they are safe have a breather which didn’t happen 10 years ago.
“The league has changed mentally. Morally it has changed a lot. In an ideal world you want to rely on your own results. Unfortunately for us that’s not the case now.
“The only thing we can have a chance is to influence our results and keep going.”
Arsenal have hit form after winning six of their last seven games.