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TUESDAY, MAY 16, 2017 SPORTS PREVIEW Bellerin backs Arsenal to make the final push LONDON: Hector Bellerin has backed Londoners are relying on slips by City or pressure to record a fifth win in their last Arsenal’s lead to 2-1 with a controversial goals on the break to polish it off.” Arsenal to mount a final push to qualify Liverpool to sneak into the top four. But six games proves Arsenal are determined goal that went in off his arm, it appeared Even a shock win at Arsenal wouldn’t for the Champions League as his side if they fail to beat relegated Sunderland to finish the season strongly, no matter the Gunners might crumble. But they hit salvage Sunderland’s dismal season, but face a make or break clash with at the Emirates Stadium, it will effective- what happens in the European race. “We back with goals from Alexis Sanchez and a positive performance would at least Sunderland today. Arsene Wenger’s ly end their challenge in the most dispir- have a lot of heart, a lot of character and, Olivier Giroud to seal a rare win at a ven- give them something to build on as they team are three points behind fourth iting manner possible. even though in some games it may not ue that has seen plenty of Arsenal sur- prepare for the Championship. Beaten placed Manchester City and four adrift That would be another bitter blow for look like we’ve shown it, the team really renders in the past. Gunners defender by lowly Swansea on Saturday, David of third placed Liverpool, who have Arsene Wenger, who once again had to wants to be there (in the Champions Rob Holding echoed Bellerin as he Moyes’s side were jeered by Sunderland played a game more than their top four endure calls for his resignation from League),” the defender said. “We’ve praised the way they stood up to a high- fans in their home finale and winger Seb rivals. The fifth placed Gunners and frustrated Arsenal fans, who flew a plane shown that against Stoke. We knew that pressure situation. “Crouch got that goal Larsson conceded the criticism was City are both in action today, with Pep trailing the message: “Wenger - Out we were playing for our lives really, so any and their fans got a bit louder,” he said. “I deserved. “Listen, you have got to take Guardiola’s side hosting West means Out” over Stoke’s stadium. In the result other than a win wasn’t good for didn’t see it go in, but I saw some of the what comes your way. We have been on Bromwich Albion. circumstances, bottom of the table us. “We knew that at the start of the lads shouting and waving their arms the pitch during the season, so we are Arsenal’s 4-1 thrashing of Stoke on Sunderland appear ideal opponents for game, so we knew we had to win no mat- about. It went in but we got the result, where we deserve to be,” he said. “You Saturday had given them renewed hope Arsenal as they aim to take the top four ter what. I think the team did really well.” so it doesn’t matter. We showed a bit of can’t just take the praise when it comes of controlling their own fate, but fight to the final weekend when they character to stay in the game when they your way, you have got to take the other Liverpool responded by crushing West host Everton. Bellerin is convinced the CHARACTER had seven corners in a row. We just had part of the game as well. It wasn’t good Ham on Sunday. As a result, the north way they coped with a barrage of Stoke When Stoke’s Peter Crouch reduced to withstand it and then score more enough.” — AFP PREVIEW City eye top four boost to mark Zabaleta farewell MANCHESTER: Pablo Zabaleta’s farewell is likely Sunderland on the same night. recovering from a groin injury, did come on for to garner much of the attention as Manchester Guardiola is in the process of shaping his the last 12 minutes, but Gabriel Jesus, signed in City host West Bromwich Albion today, but Pep squad for next season, and while Zabaleta’s future January from Palmeiras, is clearly the first-choice Guardiola’s side still have work to do to secure a has been decided, those of City’s six other out-of- striker. West Brom will head for Eastlands with Champions League place. It was confirmed on contract players remain in the balance. The most some discouraging memories, having shipped Saturday that full-back Zabaleta will leave City at high-profile of those players is midfielder Yaya 23 goals in their last seven visits. the end of this season after nine years at the Toure, who looked certain to leave after being But despite losing 1-0 to Chelsea on Friday in club, with West Ham his likely destination. The dropped from the first-team squad earlier this the game that saw the London club crowned Premier League match against Albion will mark season because of a fall-out with the manager. champions, West Brom boss Tony Pulis believes STOKE-ON-TRENT: Arsenal’s French manager Arsene Wenger gestures as he leaves his final home appearance, and the club are Since resolving the dispute and being recalled in optimism is high at The Hawthorns. His side after an English Premier League football match between Stoke City and Arsenal at planning tributes to mark the occasion. December, Toure has proved himself a valuable have two games to clinch the eighth place they the Bet365 Stadium on May 13, 2017. —AFP Guardiola believes City need more players player for City, and even though he turned 34 on have held for much of the season. “It was a slow with Zabaleta’s commitment if they are to suc- Saturday, it is clear that he still has plenty to offer. start to the season but we picked up and it’s ceed in the future. “It’s important to have players City go into today’s match on the back of two suc- been a fantastic journey and a fantastic ride,” like Pablo in the team,” Guardiola said. “Pablo is a cessive wins, beating Crystal Palace 5-0 but fol- said Pulis. “What we’ve got to do now is try to Wenger urges Arsenal real legend in what he has done in the club, he lowing that up with a far less convincing 2-1 vic- get something from these two away games. The has helped with his team-mates at the club to tory over Leicester on Saturday. club had got a buzz about it that it hasn’t had for fans to ignore boycott make a step forward, to try to compete to qualify a long time, at least not since I’ve been at the for the Champions League, sometimes to win OPTIMISM club. There is much more optimism that the club LONDON: Arsene Wenger has called on statement then asked fans not to turn up at the Premier League. “That’s why Pablo Zabaleta, Guardiola must decide whether to recall his hasn’t had since I’ve been here and people want Arsenal fans to turn out in force for today’s the game against the Black Cats. in these kind of things, is so, so important.” 31-goal leading scorer Sergio Aguero to the to feel that and be part of it. And I’m hoping we game against Sunderland rather than take “We are calling on fans that feel the Victory would just about ensure a top-four finish starting line-up, having caused something of a can get maybe one or two players in that can part in a boycott designed to hasten his same way to boycott tomorrow evening’s for Guardiola’s side, and may even make it math- surprise by naming him only as a substitute on give us a lift for next season because that’s removal as manager of the London giants. match against Sunderland,” the statement ematically certain if Arsenal fail to beat Saturday. Aguero, who made the squad after important.” — AFP The veteran French boss has still to said. “Please consider joining us in this boy- announce if he will be staying at the Emirates cott. Don’t sell your seat to a tourist or give Stadium when his current contract expires it to a mate. Let yours be one of the many after the end of the season. The Gunners gaps in the stands that send a direct and Guardiola wants winning have just three games left before their cam- unarguable message to the directors. You paign concludes - two in the Premier League do not want to watch any more of the same send-off for Zabaleta against Sunderland and Everton before an old same old. If you are in any doubt, look FA Cup final newly-crowned champions and at our season and compare that to Chelsea, MANCHESTER: Pablo Zabaleta deserves a Nine years he has been here. To replace London rivals Chelsea. Juventus and Atletico Madrid. We are a big- In marked contrast to the Blues, Arsenal ger club than all three of them but we are victorious finale to mark the end of his that you need someone who has been have not won the English title since 2004 being held back by a greedy owner and a nine-year Manchester City career, manag- here for nine years.