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 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 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. That is a long time, and Wenger has come under renewed pres- past it manager. By doing this, we can send er said yesterday. The and so it is not easy. “He was the first sure this season with his side in danger of a message to Stan Kroenke (Arsenal’s US- Argentinian full-back is leaving the Etihad player to come here when the owners failing to qualify for the Champions based owner) and Arsene Wenger that Stadium when his contract expires at the arrived. He has helped the club to where League. Arsenal have finished in the top Arsenal should be doing so much better.” end of the season, with Premier League it is right now. four of every full season since Wenger took Arsenal have won six of their last seven rivals West Ham the 32-year-old’s likeliest “He deserves all of the fans to come to charge 21 years ago but, after Liverpool’s 4- games with their only defeat coming destination. Zabaleta joined City from the West Brom game. I hope all the fans 0 win at West Ham on Sunday, they now against north London rivals Tottenham Espanyol for £6.45 million ($8.3 million) can come to support us, as we are playing need slip-ups from either the Merseysiders Hotspur, who on Sunday beat Manchester on August 31, 2008, a day before the Abu for a lot of important things, but also so or Manchester City to help them maintain United in the last match at White Hart Lane Dhabi United Group, led by billionaire they can express gratitude for one of the that proud record. to ensure they would finish runners-up Sheikh Mansour, completed a takeover most important players in the history of behind Chelsea. Arsenal, second to shock that transformed the club’s fortunes. Manchester City.” While Zabaleta will fea- ‘PAST-IT MANAGER’ champions Leicester last season, could win Because of the timing of his arrival, ture as City look to complete the season This season has already seen a number more points this term but fail to qualify for and the service he has given to City, in fine style, midfielder Fabian Delph will of ‘Wenger out’ protests by supporters the Champions League. “Our chances Zabaleta has become closely associated be unavailable. Delph has not played groups, including planes flying over depend on winning our games. We have 69 with the modern era at the Etihad since the victory over Hull City on April 8 grounds carrying messages urging the 67- points, we can get to 75,” said Wenger. “That Stadium, while the quality of his perform- because of a leg problem, and will miss year-old to quit and marches before games, will be four points more than last year, so ances has made him a popular figure with the end of the campaign. Centre-back with some empty seats visible at recent let’s focus on finishing as well as we can.” the club’s supporters. He was a key mem- John Stones, however, has recovered from Emirates fixtures. Now there are calls for Arsenal won 4-1 away to Stoke City on ber of the side that won the Premier a muscle problem. mass boycott of Tuesday’s match at home Saturday but they are now waiting on the League title in 2012, scoring the opening Guardiola, meanwhile, remained to Sunderland. But Wenger, who yet again fitness of Laurent Koscielny (calf) and Alexis goal in the dramatic 3-2 final-day win guarded on the fate of the six out-of-con- refused to comment on his Arsenal future, Sanchez (thigh) ahead of the match against over Queens Park Rangers that ensured tract players whose futures all remain said yesterday: “My message is always the bottom-of-the-table Sunderland. “Sanchez City became champions of England for unclear. The manager indicated last week same, it is to support the team. A statement will have a test today (Monday),” said the first time since 1968. he had already decided whether to keep on onlinegooner.com suggested that Wenger. “Yesterday it didn’t look too good, Zabaleta has won two league titles Yaya Toure, Gael Clichy, , Atletico Madrid’s Diego Simeone or but with him you never know. He’s so keen. with City, as well as the FA Cup once, in Willy Caballero, Jesus Navas and Tosin Juventus’s Max Allegri would now be better Maybe it was just a kick. It could be a possi- 2011, and the League Cup twice. He is Adarabioyo. Offers have been made to at managing Arsenal than Wenger. The bility that he recovers for tomorrow.” — AFP expected to make his final home Navas and Adarabioyo, and Toure is also appearance for the club when they play likely to be given a contract if City qualify West Bromwich Albion at the Etihad for the Champions League. Stadium on Tuesday, five days before However, Guardiola insisted his focus Klopp urges Liverpool to City complete their Premier League and that of his players must remain on campaign at Watford. trying to finish as high as they can in the stay focused on top-4 bid table, with third place still a possibility. ‘AMAZING IMPACT’ “After next Sunday, we will start talking LONDON: Jurgen Klopp believes them.” Klopp hailed man-of-the-match Guardiola hopes Zabaleta finishes his with individuals,” the Spaniard said. “I Liverpool’s 4-0 rout of West Ham proves Philippe Coutinho, who scored twice and time at the club by helping them secure know you are curious but now it is impor- they can cope with the pressure of fighting created Daniel Sturridge’s opening goal. qualification for next season’s Champions tant to stay in the present. If we didn’t for Champions League qualification, but he Divock Origi added the fourth goal but it League, with Guardiola’s men currently play for anything it would be different. warned his stars to guard against compla- was Coutinho who drew Klopp’s most ful- ahead of Arsenal in the race for fourth But we are playing for a lot of important MANCHESTER: Manchester City’s Argentinian defender cency. Liverpool’s destiny is in their own some praise. Often lost stationed out on place. “I have a lot of respect for Pablo,” things,” the former Barcelona and Bayern Pablo Zabaleta warms up for the English Premier League hands after a dominant display at the the wing, Coutinho flourished at the tip of Guardiola told a news conference yester- Munich manager added. “Hopefully, the football match between Manchester City and Leicester London Stadium and victory over relegated the diamond and he has now scored six day. “His impact here has been amazing. players are focused on that.” — AFP City at the Etihad Stadium on May 13, 2017. —AFP Middlesbrough next Sunday will secure a goals in the last seven games. “He was nev- top four finish in the Premier League. If er a winger, he’s always kind of a playmaker, Arsenal drop points against Sunderland on it’s not interesting where he’s coming from, Tuesday, Liverpool will make it back into he needs to be at one point, in the decisive Pochettino sees golden future in new home Europe’s elite club competition before the area in the middle of the park,” Klopp said. last weekend of the season. He needs to be in shooting situations and LONDON: Mauricio Pochettino described seater stadium, which is already taking shape “Part of our life is to handle pressure, to finishing situations, that’s what he did Tottenham Hotspur’s final day at White Hart beside the Lane. Spurs have twice come close to ignore the bad part of pressure and to use today. Obviously he did really well in this Lane as “perfect”, but said moving into their new the Premier League title in the last two seasons, the good part of pressure,” Klopp said. “We position.”—AFP stadium would take the club to the next level. losing out to Leicester City last season and drew in the last game with Southampton, Local hero Harry Kane scored the decisive goal Chelsea this. But despite admitting to feeling we didn’t score with a penalty and maybe as Tottenham beat Manchester United 2-1 on “sad and disappointed” about Spurs’ latest brush people say then: ‘They can’t deal with pres- Sunday in their last game at the Lane, which is with glory, Pochettino believes even brighter sure.’ “I thought we saw really a convincing due to be demolished and rebuilt in time for the days lie ahead. “We were talking a lot. We believe performance with no doubts about any- 2018-19 season. The game was followed by a that when the new stadium opens the door, it thing. But the first sentence the players said pitch invasion and then a ceremony involving will help the club to reach the last level,” said the in the dressing room was: ‘One more time. Spurs greats from yesteryear, a rainbow breaking Argentine. “That is our expectation. That is our One more game.’ We will stay focused 100 through the clouds with perfect timing as a idea. The facilities, the training ground, the new per cent, we know about the difficulty of the shower of white tickertape brought the festivi- facilities with the new stadium will put the team next game, nobody will go into this game ties to a close. and the club in the last level in Europe.” and underestimate it one per cent.” “I think for me the most special day will It was Spurs’ 14th successive home league Mauricio Pochettino Liverpool will be heavy favourites to beat always be the last day at White Hart Lane,” Spurs win - equalling the club record, set over two sea- Middlesbrough, but Klopp warned his play- Mourinho prioritising the Europa League cam- manager Pochettino said. “For me it was a very sons in 1987 - and confirmed they will end the paign, he has fielded weakened teams in ers to stay focused. “Middlesbrough have exciting day because I think it was perfect. The season in second place, their highest placing had a hard season, and it’s hard in a season United’s last two league games - the defeat at preparation of the game, the game, we played since a runners-up finish in 1963. Spurs and a 2-0 loss at Arsenal. But with injuries like this to enjoy football,” he said. “I’m pretty well and we got the three points. And at the end United, meanwhile, are now assured of finish- sure they’ll want to enjoy football at Anfield, biting at , he said the quest for glory the ceremony was fantastic to share with all the ing outside the top four, meaning they must in Europe had left him with no alternatives. they’ll want to try anything and that makes legends, the people, the staff, the fans, the fami- beat Ajax in the Europa League final in life difficult for us. If we can be as focused as “Because of my respect for them (Tottenham), I ly.” Pochettino’s side will play at Wembley next Stockholm on May 24 to secure a place in the didn’t rest more people,” said Mourinho, whose today and as fluent and have as good move- season before returning to their new 61,559- Champions League. With manager Jose ments as today, then it will be difficult for Jurgen Klopp side visit Southampton tomorrow.—AFP