TV TIMING
has plunged into darkness after some below par performances starting December. The Gunners are currently in sixth position — 10 points shy of fourth spot and their chances of making the Champions League appear to be fading away. Arsene Wenger’s team has already conceded the League Cup and they are also out of the FA Cup. Their only chance of earning silverware is in the Europa League, where they face a tough tie against AC Milan in the round of 16. over in 1996 and winning three league titles and four FA Cups in his first 10 years, Arsene Wenger’s legacy has taken a drastic plunge. Despite a nine-year barren spell two penalty (shoot-out) rounds, Claudio Bravo saved them or you could be out. That is a toss of a coin, sometimes good, sometimes bad.
“The league is consistency, the players know that. They know exactly how important the league is for this club, for our futures. Of since their last Premier League triumph in 2003-04, Wenger had always been able to guide the North London club to a top-four finish for 20 years straight, until the 2016-17 season. But for a second year running even a top-four finish looks bleak. Cries for Wenger’s removal are growing louder, even from club legends as well.
seemed virtually non-existent against Man City in the League Cup final on Sunday and they will have to step up if they are to avoid a riot against Pep Guardiola’s men. Shkodran Mustafi’s feeble attempt to win the ball against Sergio Aguero got Man City’s engines running but also spotlighted the defender’s inability to cope. course we have to be focused, we know how tough it will be until the end of the season.”
Meanwhile, Guardiola insisted he was happy to talk to the Football Association after his highly-publicised charge relating to wearing a yellow ribbon during Manchester City’s recent FA
not able to impose themselves on the counter against City, despite the pace provided by their latest recruit Pierre-emerick Aubameyang. Their midfield conceded possession way too easily and Mesut Ozil’s inability to create chances reflected their sub-par performance.
faced Chelsea thrice since the start of the new year, of which two have ended in draws and one in a win. They also lost to rivals Tottenham in the Premier League. But the losses to Nottingham Forest (FA Cup 3rd round), Bournemouth (EPL), Swansea (EPL) and Ostersund (Europa League) will probably be more worrying for the Gunners. Cup defeat at Wigan Athletic.
The 47-year-old was displaying the ribbon in support of four Catalans imprisoned in his homeland over issues relating to Catalan independence.
“Of course I’m going to write a letter, explain my position,” he said. “I’m available for the FA ARSENE WENGER absolutely, it’s no problem.”
Guardiola will be without the injured Fernandinho and Raheem Sterling for Thursday’s visit to Arsenal, although he expects the latter to be available for Sunday’s home game with Chelsea or the Champions League return leg with Basel next week. Arsenal v Manchester City, 1:15am (Fri), live on Star Sports Select 1 & Star Sports Select HD1.