Arsene Wenger is making brave predictions ahead of the big game against Man United, considering that Arsenal have never beaten any side managed by Mourinho in the Premier League. But I guess it’s not just a prediction, it is a statement of fact. If we lose to United then that is definitely the last nail in the coffin of our Top Four hopes…
Le Prof was asked earlier if Arsenal v United was still a big game: “Of course.” he said. “The problem before [the north London derby] was that the clarity was if we won all our games, we had a good chance of being in the top four. Now, even winning the games doesn’t guarantee us that. It’s not in our hands. That’s all we have to achieve.
“It is a big game. Of course every big game boosts your confidence, 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.”
This used to be the biggest game of every season, now Arsenal and United are both just trying to get in the Top Four, so does that lessen the importance of both clubs fortunes? “It just shows that everybody has moved up and the number of clubs that can fight at the top is bigger this season and the difference between the teams is smaller. As soon as you are not at your best you can lose, we saw over the weekend. We lost at Tottenham but they have had a good season, City played a draw at Middlesbrough and United played a draw against Swansea, that shows as soon as you are not at your best you can drop points.”
Well, as I said earlier, this could be Wenger’s best chance of beating Mourinho ever, and we must all hope that Jose’s team has a really hard night tonight over in Spain (and maybe another couple of injuries!). But surely the advantage must be with Arsene having had a whole week to recover from the Tottenham defeat.
Or will Mourinho continue his hex over Wenger?
Admin