LONDON • Unlike their top-four rivals, Arsenal have, on paper, the easiest run-in with none of the top six sides left to play after tomorrow's Premier League game at home to Manchester United.
However, there is a reason why pundits and bookmakers have placed them behind Tottenham, Chelsea and United to qualify for the Champions League next term.
When the Gunners continue to show the same weak mentality that punctuated the final few years of Arsene Wenger's tenure as they did at Rennes, crumbling 3-1 in the first leg of their Europa League last-16 tie, it invites questions about their ability to stay in the race.
Unai Emery's men were awful on Thursday night and were powerless to stem the dominance of Julien Stephan's team after the first-half dismissal of defender Sokratis Papastathopoulos.
The French Ligue 1 side won with strikes from Benjamin Bourigeaud and Ismaila Sarr, and an own goal by Nacho Monreal, after Alex Iwobi had opened the scoring for the visitors.
With their away form "a bit of a disaster", Martin Keown deems the Emirates clash to be "season-defining".
POWERING UP
I'm positive that with fresh players, with energy, with quality, that we have the possibility to put in a big performance against United and win against them.
UNAI EMERY, Arsenal boss, who wants every player to step up for the Premier League clash that could make or break their top-four hopes.
The ex-Arsenal defender told BT Sport: "They have been inconsistent, but their next game is at home and they have been strong there.
"Manchester United could be the perfect team to play next for Arsenal, the fans will demand it (the win) so bring them on.
"The problem Emery is having is he is not picking his best team. You have to pick your best team, I know Aaron Ramsey is leaving but, if you have to play him, so be it."
Pundit Michael Owen also feels "Arsenal cannot afford to lose the game if they want to get into the top four".
The former Liverpool and United striker told BT Sport: "It's really important for Arsenal.
"If Manchester United win and go four points clear, then it's going to be hard for Arsenal. They have got the momentum as well.
"Tonight (in France) was a big disappointment, no getting away from it. But that's what Arsenal are, they're an inconsistent team. You never know what team is going to turn up."
Emery has called for a "very big performance from each player" ahead of tomorrow's clash.
He said: "They (United) are in a very good moment, but we are together in the table and we played against them one month ago in the FA Cup (fourth round) - we lost 3-1, but I remember we did very good things, we had chances.
"We know Sunday is a tough match, an amazing match for everybody, we will be at home with our supporters."
"I'm positive that with fresh players (striker Alexandre Lacazette is expected to return to the starting line-up after being suspended in Europe), with energy, with quality, that we have the possibility to put in a big performance against United and win against them."
And goalkeeper Petr Cech dismissed suggestions the defeat at Roazhon Park would be damaging for team morale, insisting that Arsenal could "still overcome a two-goal deficit because in the end, the (away) goal we scored might play a big part (in the second leg next Thursday)".
AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE, REUTERS
Qatar's Abdulaziz Hatem scored with a stunning late strike as the 2022 World Cup hosts upset Son Heung-min's South Korea 1-0 to reach the semi-finals of the Asian Cup for the first time on Friday.
Hatem wonder strike secures Qatar upset of South Korea - The
Football: Qatar players cleared in eligibility row just before Asian Cup final against four-time champs Japan. Qatar's players warming up ahead of the 2019 AFC Asian Cup final football match
Football: Qatar players cleared in eligibility row just
Football: Tottenham set for kick-off at new stadium to hopefully usher in a glorious new era A general view of the exterior of the new Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. PHOTO: AFP
Liverpool must keep spending big to usher in new era of glory
A version of this article appeared in the print edition of The Straits Times on March 01, 2019, with the headline 'Tigers riding high'. Print Edition | Subscribe
Tigers riding high - theworldnews.net
Olaroiu tells Al Ahli: Forget past matches and focus on the game at hand despite Makhete Diop's brace within two minutes to subdue the Hawks. And for this we need to stay focused all the
Conte: We have to stay focused - Premier League
Reds the hungrier facet, says Van Dijk. waka March 3, 2019. 0 0 2 minutes read. Facebook Twitter Google+ LinkedIn StumbleUpon Tumblr Pinterest Reddit VKontakte
Virgil van Dijk Says Champions League Win 'Just the Start' of
VALENCIA: Valencia eased into the Europa League semi-finals for the first time in five years with a comfortable 2-0 win at home to fellow Spaniards Villarreal in heavy rain on Thursday for a
Tuchel rues missed chances as PSG crash out of Champions League: PSG coach Thomas Tuchel says his side were more deserving of a place in the quarter-finals after a stoppage time Manchester United penalty knocks the French giants out
Robbie Kruse rues missed chances in loss | Sporting News
Chelsea manager Maurizio Sarri has been charged with misconduct following his sending-off against Burnley, the Football Association has announced on its official website. The Italian was sent off
Chelsea boss Maurizio Sarri charged with misconduct
Title cannot soothe PSG's pain in Europe - straitstimes.com
Barca put one hand on title after edging past Sociedad Barcelona closed in on the La Liga title on Saturday after earning a hard-fought 2-1 win over Real Sociedad at the Nou Camp, with goals
Barcelona put one hand on La Liga title after edging past
WOLVERHAMPTON, England, (Reuters) - Wolverhampton Wanderers reached the FA Cup semi-finals for the first time since 1998 by beating last year's runners-up Manchester United 2-1 with a clinical
Football: Jimenez, Jota slay Man United as Wolves reach FA
LONDON (AFP) - Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp is relaxed about Mohamed Salah's goalscoring drought, saying the Egyptian forward remains a key part of the title chasers' attacking armoury.. Read
Klopp relaxed about Salah's Liverpool drought | Aaj News
0 Kommentare:
Kommentar veröffentlichen