man citys de bruyne aims to steal premier league derby spotlight
Last Updated : GMT 06:49:16
Arab Today, arab today
Arab Today, arab today
Last Updated : GMT 06:49:16
Arab Today, arab today

Man City's De Bruyne aims to steal Premier League derby spotlight

Arab Today, arab today

Arab Today, arab today Man City's De Bruyne aims to steal Premier League derby spotlight

Manchester City's Kevin De Bruyne
London - Arab Today

Arsene Wenger has challenged his Arsenal stars to silence the critics once and for all by making a sustained challenge for the Premier League title.

Wenger's side have endured plenty of flak from pundits and even Arsenal fans in recent years after a series of underwhelming attempts to win the title for the first time since 2004.

Those doubters grew even more vocal when the Gunners made a spluttering start to the season, but they have responded with an impressive run which peaked on Tuesday with a 2-0 win over Bayern Munich in the Champions League.

Arsenal return to domestic action when Everton visit the Emirates Stadium on Saturday and Wenger wants another strong performance to convince the cynics that they can last the pace in the title race.

"You gain credibility through consistency and when people think this could be a game where we could slip a bit and you respond in a positive way," Wenger said.

"It shows that our consistency is questioned by many people which is not based on mathematics and statistics, but more on preconceived ideas and it is down to us to change people's minds.

"The longer we last (at the top), the more people will give us credit for it."

 Manchester City midfielder Kevin de Bruyne is relishing the chance to inspire his first derby victory against Manchester United when the Premier League leaders visit Old Trafford on Sunday.

De Bruyne will experience the hostility and passion of the Manchester derby for the first time following his £55 million ($84 million) move from Wolfsburg in August.

The 24-year-old Belgian has already made a big impact at City and added to his popularity with the stoppage-time goal that clinched a crucial Champions League win against Sevilla on Wednesday.

From the Denis Law flick that effectively relegated United in 1974 all the way through to Mario Balotelli's unveiling of his "Why Always Me" t-shirt during a 6-1 romp four years ago, City fans have always reserved a special place in their hearts for players who can inflict misery on the old enemy.

Now De Bruyne, who has five goals in nine appearances for Manuel Pellegrini's side, has set his sights on joining the select group of City stars who have tormented United.

"I am very excited. These are the moments you live for as a player," De Bruyne said.

"There will be a lot of atmosphere. Great games and derbies are the most important games for the fans. Hopefully we can do good on Sunday."

- Memorable contribution -

City have won on three of their last four visits to Old Trafford, but they lost 4-2 there last season, a result United surprisingly achieved without a goal from Wayne Rooney.

With 11 career goals in the Manchester derby, Rooney has been a constant menace to City and the United captain, whose brilliant overhead kick to win the derby in 2011, would dearly love to mark his 30th birthday on Saturday with another memorable contribution.

A Rooney-inspired triumph would be especially timely as Louis van Gaal's team will leapfrog City to the top of the table if they win and Arsenal drop points against Everton.

After a dismal start to their title defence, Chelsea can only look on enviously as their rivals step up their bids to take the trophy from Stamford Bridge.

The Blues are languishing 10 points behind City in 12th place after a campaign scarred by lacklustre displays, rumours of dressing room rifts and outbursts from the increasingly tetchy Jose Mourinho.

Yet Chelsea captain John Terry has seen encouraging signs in the last week following a 2-0 win over Aston Villa and a gritty goalless draw against Dynamo Kiev.

"We are a great side and we will get there with the hunger and the ambition that is in the squad," Terry said.

On Sunday, Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp will take charge of his first home Premier League match when Southampton visit Anfield.

Sam Allardyce is looking for his first win as Sunderland manager when arch rivals Newcastle make the short trip to the Stadium on Light.

The Black Cats were beaten at West Bromwich Albion in Allardyce's first game last weekend, but they haven't lost against Newcastle since 2011.

Fixtures (1400GMT unless stated)

Saturday

Arsenal v Everton (1630GMT), Aston Villa v Swansea, Leicester v Crystal Palace, Norwich v West Brom, Stoke v Watford, West Ham v Chelsea

Sunday

Bournemouth v Tottenham (1305 GMT), Liverpool v Southampton (1515 GMT), Manchester United v Manchester City (1305 GMT), Sunderland v Newcastle (1100 GMT)
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*

man citys de bruyne aims to steal premier league derby spotlight man citys de bruyne aims to steal premier league derby spotlight

 



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*

man citys de bruyne aims to steal premier league derby spotlight man citys de bruyne aims to steal premier league derby spotlight

 



GMT 12:38 2017 Friday ,10 November

George Wasooof denies statement against Bin Talal

GMT 07:13 2017 Tuesday ,31 October

Youssra resumes filming “Haj Noman Family”

GMT 14:44 2017 Sunday ,12 February

Turkmenistan’s leader set to win re-election

GMT 15:23 2017 Saturday ,14 October

Escentric Molecules takes PR in-house

GMT 12:18 2017 Tuesday ,04 April

NHL won't participate in 2018 Olympic Games

GMT 12:45 2018 Monday ,26 November

Israeli forces close entrance of village in Ramallah

GMT 09:39 2017 Friday ,29 December

Hunt on for new Golkar chairman, House Speaker

GMT 16:21 2016 Thursday ,15 September

Saudi Health Minister Announces Hajj Season Epidemic Free

GMT 21:01 2017 Sunday ,05 March

Dubai Holding and Dubai Municipality sign MoU

GMT 11:25 2017 Monday ,04 September

NU urges Myanmar to stop Rohingya massacre

GMT 22:05 2017 Wednesday ,03 May

ICT minister meets Egyptian delegation
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