Tottenham will hope their star performer Gareth Bale is on top of his game when they take on Sunderland today. PHOTO: AFP
Arsene Wenger insists he would have been happy to see Arsenal’s Champions League hopes go to the final day when his side appeared out of the race for a top four finish earlier this season.
Wenger’s side trailed Tottenham by seven points in March, but now play their final fixture at Newcastle today knowing victory will guarantee they finish at least fourth and secure a spot in the Champions League qualification rounds.
Should Chelsea fail to beat Everton, they could yet finish third, possibly via a play-off if the two clubs finish level on points, goal difference and goals scored.
“I know for a long time that for us, when we were seven points behind, we would all be happy that it goes to the last day,” said Wenger.
“We are in a position where nobody expected us to be. We have our destiny in our hands, our fate in our hands and that’s what you fight for in the game.
“It is a game that we will now want to win but at least we fought back to be in a position where we master our own fate.”
Villas-Boas admits Spurs in for disappointment
Andre Villas-Boas admits Tottenham go into the final game of the season against Sunderland bracing themselves for yet more Champions League disappointment.
To add to their frustration, a win against Sunderland will mean they end the season with 72 points, the club’s highest ever Premier League tally.
“In the past it would have been enough to make it,” said Villas-Boas. “It would have been enough apart from the 2007/08 season when the fourth-placed team (Liverpool) finished with 76 points.
“I think what it represents, if we don’t achieve it, is one more sign that you have to push up to get closer to that group.
“Our step at the moment is to be into the Champions League, probably not title contenders but we hope to be competitive next season if we manage to do things properly in the summer.”
Ferguson, Carragher prepare to bow out
The Premier League will bid farewell to a host of high-profile characters when the 2012-13 season concludes today, with legendary Manchester United manager Alex Ferguson and Liverpool stalwart Jamie Carragher among the figures taking their leave of the sport.
Ferguson will take charge of United for the 1,500th and final time at West Bromwich Albion, where veteran midfielder Paul Scholes could also make his last appearance for the champions after simultaneously announcing his retirement last week.
Liverpool’s fans, meanwhile, are preparing to say goodbye to long-serving defender Carragher, who is set to make his 737th and final appearance at home to Queens Park Rangers before taking up a position as a television pundit next season.
Published in The Express Tribune, May 19th, 2013.
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