‘Unique bad patch’ dogs Arsenal boss
LONDON — Arsene Wenger is teasing out the decision on his Arsenal future. Some fans will only be satisfied if there’s a new manager next season, especially after Arsenal slumped to a fourth loss in five English Premier League games on Saturday.
“I know what I do,” Wenger said after Saturday’s 3-1 loss at West Bromwich Albion that saw another wave of fans’ protests.
But Wenger isn’t saying whether his reign will be extended into a 22nd season, or even if Arsenal wants him to stay.
“I don’t worry,” he said. “I know what I will do in my future, so you will soon know.”
The latest collapse further jeopardizes the one constant under Wenger: Champions League qualification. Arsenal is five points from the qualification places, having played a game less than fourth-placed Liverpool.
Any hope of a first title since 2004 faded long ago, with Chelsea surging 19 points ahead of Arsenal through a 2-1 win at Stoke on Saturday. Tottenham and Manchester City are the closest challengers to Chelsea, but are 13 points behind the leaders heading into their games today.
Saturday’s highlights included:
West Brom 3 Arsenal 1
Arsenal’s downfall once again was its porous defence with Craig Dawson heading in twice from corners. “We are sorry to the fans because that’s not acceptable,” Arsenal midfielder Alex OxladeChamberlain said.
Arsenal fell behind in the 12th minute when Dawson rose above Laurent Koscielny to glance in his first header. Although Alexis Sanchez equalized inside three minutes after a 19-pass move, West Brom regained the lead in the 55th when substitute Hal Robson-Kanu scored with only his second touch.
The crossbar prevented Arsenal levelling again through Danny Welbeck’s header before the unmarked Dawson sealed the win in the 75th minute with his third goal in four games.
“We are in a unique bad patch which we’ve never had in 20 years,” Wenger said.
Stoke 1 Chelsea 2
After Willian’s free-kick put Chelsea ahead, Jonathan Walters equalized from the penalty spot after being nudged by Gary Cahill. The Chelsea defender made amends by scoring a late goal to seal a fifth successive win for Chelsea.
West Ham 2 Leicester 3
Since manager Claudio Ranieri’s firing, Premier League champions Leicester, under Craig Shakespeare, have reeled off three successive victories to move six points clear of the drop zone.
Riyad Mahrez and Jamie Vardy, whose goals powered Leicester to the title last season, scored either side of Robert Huth’s header.
Everton 4 Hull 0
Romelu Lukaku scored twice in stoppage time to wrap up the victory at the end of a week when the Everton striker cast doubt on his future at the club.
Lukaku also set up Everton’s second goal from Enner Valencia after 20-year-old Dominic Calvert-Lewin put the hosts in front on only his sixth league appearance.