wenger wants strong finish
Last Updated : GMT 06:49:16
Arab Today, arab today
Arab Today, arab today
Last Updated : GMT 06:49:16
Arab Today, arab today

A message to title rivals

Wenger wants strong finish

Arab Today, arab today

Arab Today, arab today Wenger wants strong finish

Arsene Wenger
Kingston - Arab Today

Arsene Wenger is targeting a strong finish to the campaign to boost Arsenal's Premier League title challenge next season.

Wenger's side travel to face Hull on Monday aiming to strengthen their bid to claim the runners-up spot behind champions-elect Chelsea.

Last weekend's goalless draw against Jose Mourinho's side at the Emirates Stadium effectively drew a line under any remaining hopes Arsenal of catching the league leaders.

Following fourth placed Manchester United's defeat on Saturday, Arsenal, unbeaten in their last nine league games, will take another step towards a top three finish if they win at the KC Stadium.

And having pin-pointed his side's slow start as the reason they were unable to mount a more sustained challenge at the head of the table, Gunners boss Wenger is determined things will be different next time around.

"That's our challenge, to finish well and take that strength into the next season," Wenger said.

"The start of the season is linked with belief as well. We can just strengthen the belief by finishing well.

"Manchester City had ups and downs and started stronger than us, so they were a long time in front of us.

"Manchester United are a bit like Arsenal, they had a slow start and became stronger in the second part of the season.

"I think our slow start was down to post-World Cup problems and to the fact as well that we had to play the qualifiers for the Champions League.

"It always takes a lot out of you but overall I believe that we've found a better balanced team during the season as well.

"If you ask me if I am happy with the depth of the squad I say certainly yes because I have many international top quality players who are not even in the squad on Saturdays when everyone is available. That has not been the case for many years."

- Jelavic returns -

Hull will welcome top-scorer Nikica Jelavic back into the squad after the Croatian forward recovered from a knee operation sooner than expected.

The 31-year-old has not featured since March 14 after undergoing surgery for the second time this season and it was feared he might miss the remainder of the campaign.

Jelavic trained this week and manager Steve Bruce expects him to be fit for Monday's clash.

However, after Hull recorded successive wins over Crystal Palace and Liverpool, Bruce is likely to keep faith in strikers Dame N'Doye and Sone Aluko, meaning Jelavic will start the match as a substitute.

"I can't speak highly enough of him. He has had two serious knee operations and worked hard to get back involved," Bruce said.

"I think if he is going to be involved, it will be from the bench. How could I disappoint anyone? My job is easy this week, in that respect."

Jelavic is Hull's top scorer with eight goals, despite missing large sections of the campaign with injury, and Bruce believes the Tigers would not have been in relegation trouble if he had stayed fit all season.

"You are only as good as your strikers, no matter what level you are at," said Bruce, whose side are one point above the relegation zone with four games remaining.

"We struggled without Jelavic. For me, if he had stayed fit all season then we would have been fine. Our troubles came when he got injured (for the first time, in October).

"We know how crucial it is. Look at Liverpool. Luis Suarez has gone but you look at a mighty club like them trying to replace their number one striker and it is not easy."
Source: AFP

arabstoday
arabstoday

Name *

E-mail *

Comment Title*

Comment *

: Characters Left

Mandatory *

Terms of use

Publishing Terms: Not to offend the author, or to persons or sanctities or attacking religions or divine self. And stay away from sectarian and racial incitement and insults.

I agree with the Terms of Use

Security Code*

wenger wants strong finish wenger wants strong finish

 



Name *

E-mail *

Comment Title*

Comment *

: Characters Left

Mandatory *

Terms of use

Publishing Terms: Not to offend the author, or to persons or sanctities or attacking religions or divine self. And stay away from sectarian and racial incitement and insults.

I agree with the Terms of Use

Security Code*

wenger wants strong finish wenger wants strong finish

 



GMT 11:28 2017 Saturday ,15 April

President Al-Bashir's visit to Kuwait and Bahrain

GMT 07:51 2017 Sunday ,26 November

HRH Crown Prince condoles with Egyptian President

GMT 14:35 2018 Friday ,12 October

Bahrain's media history documentation hailed

GMT 11:45 2017 Friday ,29 December

10 bodies found in mass grave in Myanmar

GMT 08:44 2016 Monday ,19 December

Hopeless Afghan struggle to save boy sex slaves

GMT 15:15 2013 Friday ,05 July

I breathe freedom in Jordan

GMT 12:55 2016 Sunday ,18 December

Kerry in likely last visit with Saudi king

GMT 05:49 2017 Wednesday ,24 May

Indian police make arrests after mobs lynch 8

GMT 12:12 2017 Sunday ,19 February

More South Sudanese officials quit unity gov't

GMT 09:25 2017 Wednesday ,09 August

Ghada Abdel Raziq prefers exciting drama

GMT 15:03 2017 Saturday ,14 October

HM King congratulates French President
Arab Today, arab today
 
 Arab Today Facebook,arab today facebook  Arab Today Twitter,arab today twitter Arab Today Rss,arab today rss  Arab Today Youtube,arab today youtube  Arab Today Youtube,arab today youtube

Maintained and developed by Arabs Today Group SAL.
All rights reserved to Arab Today Media Group 2021 ©

Maintained and developed by Arabs Today Group SAL.
All rights reserved to Arab Today Media Group 2021 ©

arabstoday arabstoday arabstoday arabstoday
arabstoday arabstoday arabstoday
arabstoday
بناية النخيل - رأس النبع _ خلف السفارة الفرنسية _بيروت - لبنان
arabstoday, Arabstoday, Arabstoday