Plotting to outshoot the Gunners
MOMENT OF INSPIRATION CAN SEE OFF ARSENAL, SAYS BENITEZ
RAFA Benitez has challenged his players to conjure up “a moment of inspiration” against Arsenal as he looks to kick-start the Magpies’ season.
This is a much less daunting fixture for United but still far from easy - and a third home defeat in a row would mark the worst home sequence since 1987 in the top flight.
Benitez comes up against his fellow countryman Unai Emery and feels even if everything went perfectly for United and Arsenal had an off day that still may not be enough to secure the points.
Therefore, the Spaniard has asked his players to deliver something special against the Gun- ners.
Looking ahead to the first game back after the international break, Benitez was asked if this was a good time to play Arsenal as they get used to life under Emery.
He said: “You just never know. We are talking about a good team anyway and Unai Emery is a good manager who is trying to do things a little bit differently. “Yet still they have a lot of players with quality on the pitch. “Even if everything is wrong for them and perfect for us they still have players who can make the difference. “It works the same the other way. If they turn up and are good tactically and we have one player who provides a moment of inspiration, maybe we can win the game.” For years large sections of Arsenal fans demanded to see the back of Arsene Wenger but it has not been plain sailing for Emery with two defeats from four in the league. Some observers have drawn comparisons with life after Sir Alex Ferguson at Manchester United. Benitez added: “It is not the same. It is not similar because Unai Emery has a lot of experience around Europe. I think he will do well. “Hopefully he will need at least another week – this week. After that he will do well.” On the eve of the game, Benitez still had question marks over Jonjo Shelvey, Matt Ritchie, DeAndre Yedlin, Salomon Rondon and Kenedy. When asked how he has gone about his business during a fragmented week, Benitez said: “It is a little bit of everything. You talk to them about how they feel and how their games were, things like that.
“You try to stay close to them but at the same time you keep working tactically because you have to adjust your team.
“Overall, it is about confidence and the way we approach the game.
“It is the way we put the team together to go out on the pitch and see whether they can win. It is not just a case of cobbling them together and seeing what happens.
“We are playing at home in front of our fans and we have to perform at a good level.
“Kenedy, Shelvey and Ritchie all trained but each one had little things. They were fine yesterday and in the squad but we will see.”
If they are good tactically and we have one player who provides a moment of inspiration, maybe we can win Rafa Benitez