Raphinha reminds Mcphail of magical era ARTETA: NEXT FOUR GAMES ARE CRITICAL
MMEMORIES of the good old days have come flowing back for Stephen Mcphail.
And it’s all down to the exhilarating performances of Raphinha (left) for Leeds United.
It’s 20 years since former midfielder Mcphail, 41 (right) emerged from the club’s
IKEL ARTETA admits the next fortnight will be the defining period in Arsenal’s season.
The Gunners have suffered back-to-back league defeats and face a testing four-game run before the end of the month.
First up at The Emirates today are Marcelo Bielsa’s in-form Leeds and then next Sunday Pep Guardiola’s Premier League leaders Manchester City head to North London.
And on the next two Thursdays Arsenal face Portuguese giants Benfica in the Europa League.
Little wonder Arteta views this hectic period as being make or break for his team’s ambitions to qualify for Europe.
Ahead of Leeds’ visit, the Spaniard said: “Yes, it’s going to be crucial.we don’t have any margin now in the league and in the Europa League they are knockout games.
“So the moment you don’t do what you have to, you are out.
“The level of attention and the level of performances are going to be really high and demanding.”
After such a bright start to life in the Arsenal hotseat, when he lifted academy to earn a special place in the hearts of fans at Elland Road.
Winger Harry Kewell was then the poster boy of David O’leary’s exciting squad and Mcphail is reminded of his Australian pal when the FA Cup lastaugust,arteta’s first full season has proved worryingly inconsistent.
So what will constitute success this time around? Making Europe – either via a surge up the league over the next three months or by going all the way in the Europa League?
Arteta, whose side stand nine points adrift of the top four, added: “First of all, we have to improve our league position – dramatically.
“We need to get into Europe – and into a situation where we can compete for those places because that’s going to decide which competition we are in next season.”
Arteta’s Leeds counterpart
Bielsa has confirmed he will play no role in deciding his successor at Elland Road.
The Argentinian is likely to remain with the club next season, which would be his fourth with them, but does not want to be involved in the process of selecting a manager to carry on his work.
Bielsa said: “There are many people at the club who have the capacity to make that evaluation, which I don’t.” watching Brazilian wing wizard Raphinha weave his magic. Mcphail, now sporting director of Shamrock Rovers, said: “He works hard, he’s quick and has a bit of everything. He looks a threat every time he gets the ball. Harry Kewell had that no-fear attitude too.”
THOMAS TUCHEL says big transfer fees and wages count for nothing when getting into his Chelsea team – as England pair Ben Chilwell and Callum Hudson-odoi are only too aware. Academy product Hudson-odoi has become a regular under the German coach but left-back
Chilwell, a £50million buy from Leicester, has made only two starts and was substituted in both.
Tuchel (below with Chilwell) says the player will get another chance to impress – but it could take some time given the excellent form of current first choice Marcos Alonso.
New boss Tuchel, unbeaten in his first five matches and host to Newcastle tomorrow, said: “If Ben is anxious, I can understand – because he’s had tight decisions against him.
“We chose Marcos in a five because he was more familiar with the position.then he had a very good match against Burnley and scored a decisive goal. From there it was hard to come back for Ben.
“Sometimes it takes time and there are hard decisions.then it’s my job not to lose these players.
“We wanted a start where we’re fair to everybody and don’t judge anybody by the amount of money the club has spent or what they earn. I couldn’t care less.”
Hudson-odoi is evidence of that approach.a squad player under Frank Lampard, he has started every game for Tuchel.
The former Paris Saint-germain coach said: “In my days at Paris he was on our radar.
‘‘He’s very positive. He’s had a very good start with me.
‘‘Now the challenge is to show this every minute, every day.”