Arsenal vs Manchester City on Super Sunday: Freddie Ljungberg's chance to impress – Sky Sports, Skysports.com
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Freddie Ljungberg may not have a better opportunity to stake a claim for the full-time position at the Emirates
Arsenal are no nearer to naming a new head coach with Freddie Ljungberg still leading the club on a game-by-game basis – and the Gunners’ interim head coach has another chance to impress when his side face Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City onSuper Sunday
, live onSky Sports
.
The search for Arsenal’s new head coach rumbles on. The interview process is thought to be underway but with no decision seemingly imminent from the Arsenal hierachy, Ljungberg’s audition for the role continues.
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The former Arsenal midfielder, who was a member of Arsene Wenger’s Invincibles squad, has been linked with the permanent job but so far he has been coy about his prospects of taking the job on a full-time basis.
Asked whether he saw himself as a contender before the Gunners’ Europa League game against Standard Liege, he reiterated that he is working on a game-by-game basis and insisted he has not spoken about his future with the club’s hierarchy.
Former Arsenal midfielder and Sky Sports pundit Paul Merson thinks Ljungberg has had a tough start in charge of the Gunners, and he doesn’t think It’s going to get any easier for the Swede facing City.
“It’s been tough for Freddie Ljungberg coming into this Arsenal team,” Merson said. “He’s trying his best.
Merson says: Arsenal going nowhere fast **********************
Match report: Arsenal rescue top spot with draw in Liege
FREE TO WATCH: Highlights from Manchester United’s win over Manchester City in the Premier League
Meanwhile, Merson thinks City, who are already 14 points behind Liverpool in this season’s table after 18 matches following a 2-1 defeat in the Manchester derby last weekend, must beat the Gunners to avoid “utter disarray”.
“Manchester City have to win at Arsenal on Sunday,” Merson added. “Every game is must-win for the champions now.
” You’d be worried sick for City if they get beaten by Arsenal, it would be in complete and utter disarray. Let’s not forget, aside from that – minute spell at West Ham, Arsenal were terrible. “
Merson also insists Guardiola’s side need to focus on winning the Champions League with it being “impossible for City to bridge the gap” to Liverpool at the top of the Premier League.
“City are 14 points behind Liverpool, it’s now impossible for City to bridge the gap . This Liverpool team are serial winners, they’ve won 24 of their last 25. City have no chance and sooner or later they are going to have to highlight the Champions League, if they haven’t already. Their performances in the last couple of weeks show that, deep down, they know they are not going to catch Liverpool.
“Pep Guardiola knows it’s over, he’s played the game long enough, managed long enough. You’ve only got to look at the numbers to know that it’s all about the Champions League, League Cup and FA Cup for City.
“I think Pep will approach City’s remaining Premier League like a snooker player plays snooker and play five shots ahead. With City out of the title race, Pep can afford to play several games ahead and use the Premier League fixtures to fine-tune his side ahead of crucial games in the Champions League. They are favorites to win the Champions League, for the life of me I don’t know why, but I suppose it’s because it is the only major honor left. “
Sky Sports News reporter Kaveh Solhekol examines the candidates and the complex process surrounding Arsenal’s search for a new manager
Is this Pep’s last season?
Manchester City have now dropped as many points in 5237 / 27 as they did in the whole of last season and trail Liverpool by points coming into Sunday’s game. Are there signs that Guardiola’s time might be up at the Etihad?
“I feel there may be an ounce of truth to him being fatigued,” Matt Le Tissier toldSoccer Saturday. “
When you see the attention to detail that he puts into his job, he puts everything he’s got, every waking minute of every day into being the manager of Manchester City.
“When you do that over a period of years, it has to have an effect on you, it must take its toll on your body and on your mind, and I can completely understand why at some points managers need a break to refresh. He’s done it in the past, so it wouldn’t surprise me if that’s the case. “
(What the managers have said …
Arsenal boss
Freddie Ljungberg: “Sometimes in transitions we are vulnerable when people come at us but it has been like that for a long time. We try to fix small things.
) Regarding his future, Guardiola said: “I am incredibly satisfied to work with this club, with these players, and if the people think I am going to resign for these results and being nine points behind, the people do not know me. I like to have this challenge, I love to be in this position. If the club wants [me] next season I want to be here 115 per cent.
“I want to live in this city because I know lovely people here and I want to work and live with them and I want to be here. “
(Team news) ******************************
Arsenal could be without Nicolas Pepe for the visit of Manchester City
Arsenal forward Nicolas Pepe will have his knee injury assessed ahead of the visit of Manchester City. The club-record signing missed the Europa League trip to Standard Liege with knee bruising but is in contention to return against the reigning champions.
Hector Bellerin (hamstring) will also undergo a fitness test but Kieran Tierney (shoulder), Granit Xhaka (concussion), Rob Holding (knee) and Danny Ceballos (hamstring) will all miss out.
City will again be without record goalscorer Sergio Aguero (thigh) and defender John Stones (hamstring).
Playmaker David Silva is also doubtful after missing the midweek Champions League game at Dinamo Zagreb after what manager Pep Guardiola described as a kick in the leg.
Goalkeeper Ederson should be available again after illness but defender Aymeric Laporte and winger Leroy Sane (both knee) are long-term absentees.
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