Gunners settle up for Mikel
ANDREAS PEREIRA admits Manchester United are relishing the chance to pile more pain on their cross-city rivals in the Carabao Cup.
The neighbours have been drawn together in a two-legged semi-final in January. United stunned Pep Guardiola’s men with a 2-1 win in the league at the Etihad this month.
And midfielder Pereira says United are on a mission to win silverware under Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.
The Brazil star said: “We are up for it. We know it will be difficult and that derbies are always special.
“We will never fear it. The last game we won and now we have to look at it from a different perspective.
“It is a new game, a semi-final. They will come with something new because they know for sure they lost last time and they will do something different.
“But we will prepare like we did last time and hopefully win.
“We are desperate to get a trophy. Everybody here is raised to win trophies.” the weekend dancing at his brother’s wedding.
Pogba wants to force his way out of Old Trafford, ideally when the transfer window reopens next month.
Real Madrid are leading the race to sign him.
United are adamant they will not allow Pogba to leave in January, with Solskjaer insisting the 26-year-old remains a key part of his plans.
But there is a growing belief within United that Pogba’s continued absence is a sure-fire indication he is on his way, as long as United get the fee they want, which could be around £125m.
Pogba was given permission to attend his brother’s wedding in France a week ago, while he continued his rehabilitation, ahead of his expected comeback against Colchester in the Carabao Cup on Wednesday.
But illness put paid to that potential return.
While United have publicly stated Pogba, who has 18 months left on his current contract, is not for sale, privately there is an acknowledgment of his desire to move on to a new challenge.
ARSENAL expect to unveil Mikel Arteta as their next manager today after finally thrashing out an agreement with Manchester City.
The champions refused to budge over his compensation, demanding in the region of £2m to release their assistant coach.
But Arteta had already agreed terms with Arsenal on what is believed to be a three-and-a-half-year deal worth £5m a year.
After the clubs’ lawyers held talks yesterday, Gunners sources insisted they had reached an agreement.
That had seemed in doubt because of City’s fury at Arsenal’s refusal to make an official approach to them despite two rounds of talks with Arteta.
But it is understood the Spaniard kept them fully informed and will now be allowed to leave.
Arteta said an emotional farewell to players and staff at training yesterday.
Freddie Ljungberg stays in charge for the trip to Everton tomorrow, with Arteta set to make his debut in the dugout against Bournemouth on Boxing Day.