Premier League: Arteta sorry for Man City ‘no comment’, Ten Hag backs Garnacho, Aubameyang’s Chelsea future
It is becoming increasingly clear in the battle for the Premier League title that Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta wants his team to do their talking on the pitch.
It is, in fact, more than that – Arteta, too, wants to remain focused on the sole ambition of delivering a first league title to Arsenal in 19 years.
He apologised for offering up “no comment” when asked for his view on the matter, simply adding a “no” when questioned on whether he had seen anything untoward while working under Guardiola and helping to deliver two league titles to the Etihad Stadium.
The charges against City are serious, the club and Guardiola are strongly battling back but, if they are found guilty, punishment could range from hefty fines to points deductions and even expulsion from the Premier League.
It just so happens Arsenal are in a title fight with Manchester City, sitting five points clear of the reigning champions heading into a weekend where Arteta’s side host Brentford.
The top two then meet in north London on Wednesday night and Arteta is keen for his side to stake their claim for the title on the pitch rather than be handed the trophy should City finish above them and be hit with sanctions.
“We have to look after our own garden,” he said, somewhat romantically, when it was put to him that Arsenal have to be ready to take advantage of any distraction in the City camp.
“Let’s focus on what we have to do and win enough football matches for that to happen. We have to earn the right to win it, that’s for sure.”
‘Ask Daniel Levy’: Guardiola hits out
Guardiola came out fighting in response to Manchester City’s battle with the Premier League and insisted he will not quit the club.
“Go to the chairman, CEOs, [Tottenham chairman] Daniel Levy, ask them,” he said. “These 19 Premier League clubs have set a precedent. What they [rival PL clubs] have done to us, be careful with that.
“They open a precedent right now, what they have done to us, be careful, because in the future many clubs can make suggestions and there are a lot of clubs that can be accused like we are being accused without maybe being innocent.
Guardiola previously said that he would leave the club if he found they had lied to him regarding the charges (Photo: Getty)
“I don’t know what’s going to happen in the future. I can have an opinion and feeling but when they push to get rid of us from this competition, that is obvious because they believe that we didn’t behave properly and we can accept that but let us defend when we believe we did it properly.
“We are not part of the establishment of this league but at the same time I understand they can do it but let us defend ourselves please.”
Arteta is clearly ready for the fight and spoke of loving his players more after their shock defeat at Everton last week than at any other point during his reign.
The reason behind such warm words following a tepid performance at Goodison Park? Arteta wants to spread good energy throughout his young squad, who have lost back to back games for the first time this season having also been knocked out of the FA Cup at Manchester City.
Asked what it was like to be battling for his first league title as the number one man, he replied: “As a young manager – a lot of energy. I am an energy giver, I don’t like energy suckers, I just like to give and I like people who give energy in many different ways.
“Sometimes it’s with body language, tone of voice, hugging people, tone of voice and people looking for solutions, not excuses. So energy, a lot of energy.
“It’s just to help them in the lows. They were disappointed which was necessary because we are here to win.”
Ten Hag backs Garnacho
By Ian Whittell
Erik ten Hag is happy for young winger Alejandro Garnacho to continue showing his emotions and insists there is no problem with his discipline.
The 18-year-old looked unhappy to be substituted in each of Manchester United’s last two home games – including being hauled off in Saturday’s win over Palace less than half an hour after he was put on as a substitute himself.
Alejandro Garnacho looked unhappy to be substituted in each of Manchester United’s last two home games (Photo: PA)
But the disciplinarian United manager has no issue with his response and believes it simply illustrates Garnacho’s passion and will to win.
“I don’t think it’s he doesn’t understand the decision,” said Ten Hag. “He’s quite emotional, that is his strength, he brings to his game, he wants to win, he wants to play football, he doesn’t want to miss any minute.
“And I think that is a good thing. He’s totally convinced about himself, that is a good thing, you need that in the biggest stress moments that you have to perform and he is doing and he wants to contribute to the end.
“But he accepts decisions and the team is always above everything and I think he knows that. When he is coming off, that emotion, that frustration is not against that, that he’s not accepting it.”
Midfielders Antony and Scott McTominay, plus striker Anthony Martial, all look certain to be unavailable for Sunday’s trip to Leeds and ten Hag is not hopeful of them being fit enough to play in Thursday’s big Europa League clash at Barcelona.
That could see Garnacho play an increasingly key role, with Ten Hag praising his positive play.
“I think all the players have to be brave, to try if it’s in the interests of the team, that is what he is doing quite well,” he said. “Because he is taking players on and he is outplaying them, he is creating chances.
“I think he is a threat but has to score and finally, it’s about that, that you have an effect. As a striker, you have to at least be on the scoring list, the assist list, key action list to have the right impact.”
Aubameyang future ‘not terminal’
By Jon West
Graham Potter says the situation is not yet “terminal” for Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang at Chelsea following his ejection from their Champions League squad.
The 33-year-old’s chances of pulling on a blue shirt again have nevertheless been further diminished by Joao Felix’s return from suspension for Saturday’s Premier League derby at West Ham.
Aubameyang is currently mulling over the chance to write off a Chelsea career that only began in September last year by leaving on loan. MLS side LAFC are reportedly keen to sign him as Gareth Bale’s replacement.
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang was left out of Chelsea’s Champions League squad (Photo: Getty)
But Chelsea head coach Potter reported that Aubameyang, who had been allowed time away from the club last week, had been “conducting himself well” and “supporting his team-mates” in training.
“Sometimes situations are difficult – which this one is,” Potter said. “We have got Joao, we have Kai, we have got David. But that’s not to say it’s a terminal situation for Pierre. We had to be honest with him and give him time.
“And that was the reason why he was out of the previous match. But while he is here it’s not to say that will always be the case. That’s why how he has acted and responded has been really good.
“There might be something that is better for him in the medium or short term – who knows? While he is here we will treat him with respect.”
Maddison the threat for Spurs
By John Derek
Tottenham travel to Leicester on Saturday with assistant Cristian Stellini under no illusions that James Maddison is the man to stop.
Stellini made no secret of his admiration for Maddison, who is the Foxes’ top goalscorer this season with eight goals.
“We like Maddison like a player,” Stellini said. “He is an important player in this league, a player with an important type of skill, like his delivery, his cross, his right foot is a very important foot so he shoots, he crosses, he takes the set-pieces. He is a player you have to take care of.
“When you play against this player, you have to be careful. When you feel how important is this type of skill, for sure you like this type of player.
“He’s a player with talent. At the moment he’s playing for Leicester, a team we play against. We take care of him like an opponent.”
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