Granit Xhaka says Arsenal will keep plugging away in the league as we look to secure a first top four finish in three years.
After Saturday’s 1-1 draw at Wembley, the Gunners currently sit in 5th place in the table, four points shy of Sp*rs, ahead of a huge game with Manchester United on Sunday.
Things are very tight but we’re still in with a chance of Champions League qualification on two fronts.
Reflecting on the progress he and his teammates have made since the summer, Xhaka said, “After Arsene Wenger left, a lot of things changed at this club. We are happy with the coach and we have improved a lot, and we work a lot.
“It will be a big step if we return to the Champions League. We want to. It’s not easy but we will keep working.
“Of course it is important. Two times in three years we did not play in the Champions League and a club like Arsenal has to play in the Champions League.
“We need to show that on the pitch.”
Before we tackle United at the Emirates we travel to Brittany to take on Ligue 1 side Rennes in the first leg of our Europa League round of 16 tie. Given the competition represents another viable route back to the Champions League, it makes for a season-defining week.
Nice short return trip to Rennes and an early kick-off to boot. Should be helpful ahead of Sunday.
According to French sport reporters, Rennes were lucky to draw Arsenal. They said our defence is so bad Rennes have very good chance to go through. Rennes, really? It made me laugh. We can and should trash them 5-1 both away and at home. I hope Auba recovers from the disappointing PK. I don’t know why players like this curvy run PK. The angled shot although predictable always ends up with goal if well executed.
Remember when Henry hit the inside post on purpose?
Don’t take teams for granted…hopefully the players won’t play with your attitude. We were supposed to smash BATE!
CL football is looking more plausible now than the end of December.
3 points on Sunday would be a big boost.
After that, I think we have the easiest run-in on paper.
We have the EL route also, but if we beat Man U on Sunday, the EPL route becomes more straightforward. (I expect Chelsea to drop a fews points along the way.)
Easiest run-in? I am not sure. People say our attack is doing fine and that is backed by statistics. I only partially agree with this. Our attack does not do enough to erase the effect of the defensive errors. Mustafi will remain Mustafi. He has three goals so far and Iwobi in attacking position with plenty minutes played has four. Mustafi has great headers and can score more but I think his career with Arsenal ended last Saturday. The manager on the side line was probably seeing top four as a reality and Mustafi spoilt the moment again. He will… Read more »
This whole ‘easy run in’ talk makes me nervous. Our away form has been pretty terrible for the majority of this season so I’m unsure how people are looking at Leicester and Wolves away and thinking this is an easy run in…
Anyway, in a much more positive position at the moment so hoping the lads can push on and hit form when it matters
Our away record is not great but we have only lost twice and drawn twice to teams outside top 6 so let us hope.
A win and Rennes and united and I’ll be happy, four points from six against top six sides is respectable given our targets. It would also put us back in control of fourth place
If you think about how many hundreds of millions of ppl that will be watching the Arsenal man utd game. A win will be worth more than just the 3 points in so many ways.
Come on Arsenal, we can do this!
That is true, damn. A win would have much larger effects than just 3 points. It’ll be a huge game.
Still gutted about the result over the weekend. We’ve been playing really well and are on course to reach our targets. If we beat Manure, nick third place and win Europa league, what a season it would have been! COYG
The Rennes game couldn’t come any sooner. Both players & fans need to move on from that Spurs game with a big performance asap.
If nothing else at least we are competitive. It’s really hard to get into the top 4 right now, never mind win the league.
He does push the limits but just about keeps the lid on it! Off topic, after a bit of “cooling off time”, I was reflecting on the Leicester prem title……..they had a policy at the back where their CBS (Morgan Fuchs Huth) would foul the attacker as the ball was incoming to the box ( ie shoving) and then win the ball , almost inevitably. Brilliant. Ugly, but Brilliant!! (a classic Man Utd operation as well). But then the change in policy came , albeit not discussed publicly by the FA, that the tactic was to be penalised. That was… Read more »
Berd Leno could be the next de gea in no time but oh my God..monreal is fucking Gold!!!
If an English team wins both the CL and EL which is a distinct possibility the 4th placed team will not be in CL next season as only 5 teams are allowed from one country. Could be interesting.
Only if the CL winning team is outside the top 4.
So the scenario would be Spurs or Man U win the CL AND drop out of top 4 AND Chelsea win the EL. And we finish 4th.
It’s possible but I wouldn’t call it a distinct possibility. I’d call it extreme misfortune.
Correct. Got my stats mixed up
Yet I love the possibility of Spurs not entering CL despite being 3rd in the league.
It would only apply if Spurs win Champions League which I think is extremely unlikely
I was thinking about team selection for Thursday. It seems like there are a few puzzles.
Should kos and papa start? Will Jenks be brought in for right back? Who starts up front? Is Denis Suarez a thing in the world?
Team selection could be crucial this week
Nice name
Definitely some interesting decisions. Kos has been so important lately, but I wouldn’t want him not at 100% for Sunday, so I’d risk Mustafi with Sokratis.
Up front will have to be Auba–Lacazette is unfortunately banned for both legs against Rennes. And with Torreira out Sunday, you have to expect him to start Thursday. Otherwise lots of tough decisions for Emery in trying to balance these games and make sure everyone is ready for a big performance on Sunday.
nice update there cheers
Sort out this horrible away from that’s been dragging us down for the last few seasons and we’d be right in the mix. Hopefully the spuds game is a turning point in our away from. We can’t carry on dropping away points with out it having a huge impact over 38 games. On the plus side we seem to have our mojo back and that’s fantastic.
We stopper qualifying for CL when we spunked 70m on him and Mustafi.
I can see why Wenger was reluctant to pay over 20m for Mustafi. He was never Wenger’s first choice and we can see why.
Anyways we need CL football soon or we’ll turn to Newcastle.
You underestimate Granit my friend.
Mustafi was first choice when he first came. He had a good central defensive partnership with Koscielny and we were undefeated in the first 17 matches he played. His regression is alarming. Wenger paid £35 million for a squad member of the German World Cup winning team which on paper was an excellent signing.
Rudiger cost the same, not sure how that compares as he seems to make mistakes as well.
All players make mistakes.
Exactly. Mustafi is far from the best Cback but he isn’t as poor as some people keep imagining. Sokratis has done stupid things in the box too, Monreal has given away silly free kicks and penalties. Mustafi wasn’t present when we slipped points to BHA, Soton (away) and West Ham He was decent filling in at Rback and he was part of the equation for the 19 game unbeaten run. Plus he transitions the ball forward ftom deep well and has weighed in with goals. Granted he made an over aggressive error which he should gave known better not to,… Read more »
Well said
No he wasn’t. Manolas was. Heck Wenger even inquired for Evans after the Manolas deal broke down before he gave the green light for Mustafi.
Think about it…Club were haggling his price at 25m…why would they go ahead and pay 35m a few weeks later if it wasn’t a panic buy?
Best chance is in the league.
Spurts have to go away to.City and Liverpool.
Our Massive match remaining is the one on Sunday against United.
Hopefully Mustafi and Auba are smarting and make amends. Even Lacazzette should have something to prove.
As much as people say it’s defense that is the problem and not attack, we need to be far sharper with our chances.
Auba was far too casual with his effort and the rebound.
Take the full points this Sunday.
Don’t gamble on the knock out competition.
It’s 9 matches remaining and very much in our hands.
As far as Rennes, we need to avoid complacency.
This is by far our worst enemy.
Do the damage first leg to relieve pressure on the return leg.
Get the damage done then take off key players for the weekend.