Distinct lack of mind games ahead of a traditional battle
BOTH UNITED AND ARSENAL RISK MISSING OUT ON A TOP-FOUR FINISH
here has been a telling absence of mind games between Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger and his Manchester United counterpart Jose Mourinho ahead of today’s encounter between the teams.
Arsenal-United games used to be furious, season-defining epics, while Wenger’s relationship with Mourinho has crackled with animosity for much of the past 13 years.
But with both sides struggling to secure a top-four finish in the Premier League — and eyeing silverware elsewhere — the order of the day ahead of the contest at the Emirates Stadium has been contrition.
“He doesn’t need to make peace,” Mourinho said when told that Wenger had expressed willingness to bury the hatchet with him.
“When there is peace, we don’t have to have problems. I am a big boy. I’m in football all my life. I know a problem on the pitch the next day is not a problem at all.
“In the last match at Old Trafford, we shook hands before, after. I remember that I met him in the corridor for the press conferences and we shook hands again.
“So for me, not a problem at all and I think he will be really pleased with me that I am going to change my team against Arsenal.”
Mourinho’s most pressing concern is what kind of team he will be able to field, following United’s exertions against Celta Vigo on Thursday, when they procured a 1-0 aggregate lead in their Europa League semi-final.
Ashley Young joined United’s injury list after appearing to sustain a hamstring problem, while match-winner Marcus Rashford, whose second-half free-kick settled the game, came off late on with a pronounced limp.
Injury worries
United’s defensive injury worries are easing, with Eric Bailly having overcome a problem he sustained in last weekend’s 1-1 draw against Swansea City and Chis Smalling returning from a six-week layoff with a knee complaint.
But Luke Shaw, Marcos Rojo and Zlatan Ibrahimovic remain sidelined, while Marouane Fellaini is suspended.
The only player Mourinho has confirmed will start for United is goalkeeper David de Gea.
Mourinho has never tasted defeat against Wenger in 12 league games and the Arsenal manager may not get many better opportunities to alter that statistic.
Mourinho has publicly written off United’s chances of finishing in the top four, but whereas his side can qualify for the Champions League by winning the Europa League, there is no safety net for Arsenal.
Arsenal may yet finish the season with a trophy, as they will face Chelsea in the FA Cup final on May 27, but they are running out of time to avoid a first season outside the Champions League in 20 years.
“Of course every big game boosts your confidence,” said Wenger, who is still to make an announcement about his Arsenal future.
“But for us, more than focusing on the fact it is Manchester United — a big club and a big rivalry over the years — what is important is to have the chance to achieve our target. We have no choice. We have to beat them.”
Jurgen Klopp is confident he will convince in-form German international midfielder Emre Can to sign a new long-term contract at Liverpool.
Can scored a spectacular winning goal last Monday in a 1-0 victory at Watford that greatly improved Klopp’s chances of leading Liverpool to a top-four finish in his first full season in charge at Anfield.
However, with one year remaining on his current deal, 23-year-old Can’s form has attracted admiring glances from a number of rival clubs across Europe.
Klopp, preparing for an important home game against Southampton, is confident however Can will reject any external overtures and pledge his future to the club. “After his bicycle kick, probably everyone wants him to stay,” said Klopp. “I think it is no secret how much I like Emre. “He likes the club and that is a completely normal situation. We are in talks and there is absolutely no pressure, it is all good. “It is two partners with big respect for each other. “If we can keep good players that makes sense for development and he is one of these good players. I am quite positive.”
Can’s late-season form has been helped by finally recovering from a persistent calf injury that plagued him for much of the campaign.
Klopp believed his goal at Watford was reward for his hard work in regaining full fitness. “He’s watched it on the iPad about 250 times,” joked Klopp. “The player scores a fantastic goal and we speak about him the week after.
“The goal was so important and so deserved. He is a hard-working boy, it was never any different. He always had a fantastic attitude which is what I liked most. “The plan is to make a more simple goal in the next game. “If you can do this it would make sense. Against Crystal Palace he had a chance with one of the best offensive moves we had and he hit the ball with his heel — that’s football.
“We have spoken about his calf issues and they are hopefully finally sorted so that helps him.”
Klopp is optimistic Brazilian midfielder Philippe Coutinho will recover from a hamstring injury in time for Liverpool to face Southampton.
The German manager is looking to improve on a record that has seen them fail to score — and exit the League Cup semi-finals — over the three previous meetings.