The guys are back at it after a break for international competition. Leicester City sits atop the leader board with 66 points. Spurs are parked in second place with 61 points. Arsenal is third with 55 points. Man Shitty is fourth 51 points. West Ham is fifth 50 points. Man U is sixth 50 points. The Hammers are plus 12 while the Red Devils are plus 11.

Shitty, my Gunners, Man U and West Ham each have a match in hand so places three through sixth place could change dramatically after these matches are made up.

Aston Villa-Chelsea, Bournemouth-Man Shitty, Arsenal-Watford, Norwich-Newcastle, Stoke City-Swansea City, Sunderland-West Brom, West Ham-Crystal Palace, and Liverpool-Tottenham round out Saturday’s action.

Sunday headliners are Leicester City-Southampton and Man U-Everton.

This could be a make or break weekend for many of the clubs in the EPL especially Man Shitty, Man U West Ham, Arsenal and Spurs.

All the Foxes need to do is hold serve and the title is theirs.

Many will think I’m a little schizoid. I am. I am always changing my header picture on my blog. One will either find Arsenal, Man U, Liverpool or Flamengo. Why one asks? I will tell you. These are the three EPL teams I like plus Flamengo a Brasileiros futebol club from Rio de Janeiro. My wife is a Carioca.

Man U was my first team in 2009 when I started writing this blog. Then I began to comment on a Yogi’s blog “A Cultured Left Foot”. http://www.aclfarsenal.co.uk/ Check it out. This is great blog. Yogi has great insight into the game of futebol and its history.

This drove Arsenal fans nuts. What’s this fool doing commenting on a Gunner blog when he’s a Man U fan? Part of it I have huge set of you know what. Another part of it is  to drive the Arsenal fans nuts. I did.

The comments made were, well let’s just say these folks are very serious about futebol. It was fun driving them batty with off the wall comments that had a ton of truth to them mixed with a ton of wit and sarcasm.

Many missed it. Yet this led to me becoming an Arsenal fan. I saw the movie Fever Pitch staring Colin Firth. His crazy passion, insane behaviour and knowing deep down inside the Gunners would always blow it reminded me of being a Philadelphia Eagles fan. Both teams have one trait in common The Eagles and the Gunners will always find a way to snatch defeat from the jaws of victory. Or to put it crudely both Arsenal and the stinko Philadelphia Eagles can find a way screw up a wet dream.

We became like blood brothers. Both teams the fans live and die with Arsenal and the Eagles. Dinners are ruined when the shmucks loss. A deep depression is a common occurrence when the bums find a way lost. There is always a cloud of doom hanging over the Gunners and Eagles fans. This doom is more like a badge of honour. See look at us:” We stink” but will root for you clowns no matter what. The stands are always filled to the max no matter how good or bad we are.

I became a Liverpool fan when ESPN did a series on, “Being Liverpool” in 2012. Watching this series taught me about how much futebol means to the local communities in England. I saw this and became a fan of the Reds.

This series was followed up with the ESPN 30 for 30 special about the Hillsborough disaster. Watching this special broke my heart. How could the government cover this up and then have the gall to blame it on the Liverpool fans? What a crock of crap.

You will notice one interesting trend. I like all red guys. Man U, Liverpool and Arsenal are one, two and three in topflight futebol crowns of all time

I don’t like the blue guys. Chelsea is not one of my favorite teams. This is due to the arrogant prick who used to be the Blues manager twice, Jose Mourinho.  Man Shitty is a bunch of arrogant pricks who they are the greatest thing since sliced bread. They think the shit doesn’t stink.

Man U has won 21 titles. Liverpool has won 19 and Arsenal has claimed 13. The closest competitor is Everton with 9. The time the Toffees won the whole enchilada was 1986-87.

Man Shitty has a grand total of four. It took Shitty 43 years to claim their third title. Man Shitty won their first title in 1936-37 and took them thirty years to win their second crown in 1966-67.

The Blues have won five. Chelsea’s first crown came in 1954-55. It took the Blues fifty years to win their second crown 2004-05.

My friend Josh and his dad are from Coventry. They are huge Blues fans. I told his dad I am an Arsenal fan and he said, “I will pray for you.”

Yes, I am all over map. So go figure these are the teams I like yet their collective fans of Liverpool, Arsenal and Man U don’t each other which is the understatement of the year. So what does this mean? I must fight myself when they play each other? Why not? This gives the committee a chance to wage war against each and then attack me. Oh what fun? You gotta love it. I do.

Brasil needed two goals in the final ten minutes to earn a two all draw against Paraguay in Assunção. Ricardo Oliveira tickled the twines in the 80th minute to cut the gap to 2-1. Dani Alves curling shot beat the keeper Justin Villar in the 90^th minute plus two to break the hearts, mind and soul of the Paraguayans to save Brasileiros from their second defeat in the World Cup qualifying. This was Alves first international goal in two years.

Brasil is parked in sixth place with nine points.

Paraguay is fifth with ten points.

Argentina shout out Bolivia 2-0.

Colombia destroyed Ecuador 3-0

Uruguay got by Peru 1-0.

Chile blew out Venezuela 4-1.

Uruguay is the main man with 13 points with a plus eight. Ecuador is second 13 points a plus five. Third place has Argentina with eleven points. Chile is fourth with ten points.

O Dia wrote about the Brasil tie- O técnico Dunga deixou o gramado do estádio Defensores del Chaco, em Assunção, comemorando o empate por 2 a 2 com o Paraguai, na terça-feira, como se fosse uma vitória. Com o resultado, a seleção brasileira caiu para o sexto lugar nas Eliminatórias, mas nem o fato de ter saído da zona de classificação para a Copa do Mundo de 2018 parece ter tirado o humor do treinador, que preferiu destacar a vontade que sua equipe demonstrou para evitar um resultado negativo.

“Sabíamos que seria complicado, mas a equipe entendeu como se joga nas Eliminatórias. Quando falei que temos de ser um pouco mais viris sem a bola, alguns não entenderam ou não querem entender. Tem que lutar como fazem os adversários”, disse o treinador, que completou.

“A equipe soube reagir e não se acomodou com o resultado. A equipe entende quando as coisas não vêm e faz esforço para mudar. Não temos tempo para treinar, então testamos durante os jogos e os jogadores têm correspondido e mostraram, principalmente no segundo tempo, que têm vontade de estar aqui e se classificar para a Copa do Mundo”, analisou.

Dunga ainda ironizou o fato de ser contestado e as especulações já levantadas de que pode deixar o cargo. “É responsabilidade do treinador a forma do time jogar e não é novidade que o treinador da Seleção é contestado. Vocês contestaram o Zagallo, quatro vezes campeão do mundo, o Felipão, o Parreira, todos campeões também. Eu não ganhei, é normal ser contestado.”

Com o Brasil sendo derrotado por 2 a 0 na terça, Dunga tirou na segunda etapa Luiz Gustavo e Fernandinho e mandou a equipe para o ataque. Segundo ele, algo já previsto e uma questão de disposição tática.

“Não havíamos atuado sem volantes num jogo, mas o Douglas Costa e o Lucas Lima já fizeram essa função em seus clubes. Todos já jogaram em algum momento. Por isso, não falamos em improviso, é criatividade. Fica mais fácil a adaptação”, analisou.

A seleção brasileira volta a campo pelas Eliminatórias para enfrentar o Equador no início de setembro, em data ainda não definida. E dias depois, encara a Colômbia, em casa, também em local indefinido.

http://odia.ig.com.br/esporte/2016-03-30/dunga-minimiza-ma-atuacao-e-pressao-no-cargo-e-normal-ser-contestado.html

Here are a couple excerpts from the Daily Mail “What is wrong with Brasil” As it stands Brazil will not be participating in Russia in two years’ time. Dunga’s side sit sixth out of the 10-team CONMEBOL group – with nine points from their six matches. The South American giants’ results read won two, drawn three and lost one so far.

Uruguay, buoyed by the return of Luis Suarez following his bite-ban, top the qualification group with 13 points. Ecuador trail them by only on goal difference while Argentina (11 points) and Chile (10 points) hold the other two automatic qualifying spots. Colombia occupy the intercontinental play-off play-off spot, against the Oceania zone, in fifth at present.

The South American qualification zone is arguably the toughest of any continent for a World Cup. The 10 teams are placed into one round-robin, home-and-away group spread out over three years – meaning it can be quite arduous.

The calibre of the nations too means that a quality side can always miss out. Colombia and Chile impressed at the last World Cup, while Argentina reached the final. Uruguay came out of a group of death involving England and Italy as Ecuador were pipped by Switzerland to reach the last 16.

Brazil were the tournament hosts in 2014 meaning six spots were available to CONMEBOL – something that won’t be the case this time around.

They’ve slowly rebuilt since their nightmare 7-1 2014 World Cup semi-final defeat by Germany on home soil. However, there are still some issues.

There is no real problem in the goalscoring department, with Brazil netting 11 in six games, but at the back things do not look so clever. Of the teams battling for qualification, only Chile have let in more, with Brazil leaking eight goals. They have only kept one clean sheet, in the 3-0 win over Peru, and even conceded to basement boys Venezuela.

Paris-Saint Germain centre back David Luiz defender was suspended for Tuesday’s draw at Paraguay and, while he has his critics, the former Chelsea man’s absence left a distinct lack of balance in the back four.

Surprisingly no, to the annoyance of the Brazilian press who have rounded on the country’s poster boy and captain. The striker has collected more cards than goals for Brazil since Dunga took over. A booking against Uruguay on Good Friday saw him miss the Paraguay match through suspension, and subsequent pictures of him out on the town did not go down well.

Brazil play joint-leaders Ecuador next and Dunga knows that his side’s fate is in their own hands, but admits qualification is not a foregone conclusion.

‘The beauty of football is that the next match ours is against the leader,’ he said in his post-match press conference on Tuesday. ‘It will always depend on ourselves. The heat itself, has always been complicated, from 82, 86, 90, 94… and this will be even more complicated.

‘When I spoke after the last game [a 2-2 draw with Uruguay] we needed to have technical quality with the ball and we have to be more physical when we are without the ball, that was it.

‘We must fight, as opponents do. I saw a team that know how to react when things are not coming and need to change. We knew it was difficult.’

Brazil’s equalising hero on Tuesday, Dani Alves echoed his manager’s thoughts about their fighting spirit after their draw at Paraguay.

‘That is the spirit of the team,’ he told reporters. ‘As I told my team mates, for us to get anything here we needed not just quality but also fight and attitude and we had that today.’

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-3515763/Neymar-collected-cards-goals-Dunga-struggling-defensively-gone-wrong-Brazil-World-Cup-qualifying-far.html#ixzz44PHPdVrr

Flamengo was bounced out of the Carioca with 1-0 loss to Volta Redonda in the semifinals of the Já na Taça Guanabara. UOL wrote- O mês de março, embora seja o de aniversário de Zico, tem de ser apagado pelo Flamengo este ano. A equipe do técnico Muricy Ramalho acumulou derrotas e também um vexame na Copa do Brasil, quando perdeu para o Confiança em Aracaju.

Na Primeira Liga, o Rubro-Negro perdeu por 1 a 0 para o Atlético-PR e foi eliminado da competição na semifinal.

Já na Taça Guanabara, o time foi derrotado por 1 a 0 pelo Volta Redonda neste sábado e pode sair da zona de classificação, dependendo dos resultados da rodada neste domingo.

Embora ainda não se aprofunde no assunto, o técnico Muricy Ramalho já avalia a possibilidade de novas contratações para o Campeonato Brasileiro.

“Depois de um jogo desses (contra o Volta Redonda) é bobagem falar algo desse tipo. Temos que trabalhar com o que temos. Lógico que, para o Brasileiro, temos que avaliar, mas não é hora de falar sobre isso”, declarou.

O resultado diante do Voltaço, inclusive, motivou os torcedores a realizarem um protesto na saída da delegação no estádio Raulino de Oliveira. Gritos de “quero meu Flamengo de volta”, “time sem vergonha” e “acabou o amor” foram entoados e a Polícia Militar teve que acalmar os ânimos.

Na próxima quarta-feira, o Rubro-Negro tem pela frente o clássico com o Vasco. O jogo será realizado no estádio Mané Garrincha, em Brasília (DF).

http://esporte.uol.com.br/futebol/ultimas-noticias/2016/03/27/fla-tem-marco-negro-com-derrotas-eliminacao-e-vexame-na-copa-do-brasil.htm

Jose Mourinho hasn’t even signed a contract or held on retainer by Man U now he is making demands of what needs to be done. This is according to the Telegraphs Jason Burt. “Jose Mourinho is understood to be keen to bring in Atletico Madrid’s sporting director Andrea Berta if he becomes Manchester United manager at the end of this season.

Berta, an Italian, has been a key figure under Atletico’s rise under coach Diego Simeone and has a good working relationship with Mourinho’s agent, Jorge Mendes.

It remains to be seen, of course, whether United turn to Mourinho, who is desperate to take over at Old Trafford, if Louis Van Gaal is not allowed to go into the final year of his contract at the club.

It also remains to be seen whether United want to go down the route of hiring a director of football, something the club has so far resisted and has given no indication that it is likely to pursue a change in its management structure.

Mourinho has pushed to secure an agreement with United to succeed Van Gaal but, despite reports in Spain over the weekend, it is understood he has not signed a formal pre-contract.

Nevertheless Mourinho’s remains the outstanding – and available – candidate should, as appears likely, a change of manager at United be made although the club is believed to have already considered other options.

Meanwhile Michael Carrick hopes to resolve his future at United “soon” but has indicated that he will carry on playing elsewhere if he is not offered a new contract.

The 34-year-old midfielder’s current deal expires at the end of this season and he admitted that it was still unclear whether he would stay. “I am not sure yet to be honest, no,” Carrick said on whether he would be offered a new deal and stay. “I haven’t heard anything just at the moment, no. Hopefully (I will) some time soon.”

Asked, after United’s vital 1-0 derby win away to Manchester City, whether he would continue playing if, after 10 years at United, he had to leave, Carrick said: “I have been here a long time, I have had some great times here and I love the club. It’s a great place to play. Playing games like today, it keeps you having that buzz and enthusiasm to play for longer, so we will wait and see what happens.”

Carrick captained United at the Etihad Stadium and delivered an impressive midfield performance in a victory which keeps their hopes of qualifying for the Champions League alive and which, he said, would have been a “disaster” if the game had ended in defeat.

The midfielder will not be part of the England squad for the forthcoming friendlies against Germany and Holland with manager Roy Hodgson having called him to explain his omission as he wanted to look at other players such as Leicester City’s Danny Drinkwater.

“I spoke to him (Hodgson) and it’s fair enough,” Carrick said. “He gave me his reasons and stuff and what he wanted to do, so that is fine. I have a few days off now so I will go and have a rest, have a break, take the family away which will be nice and come back for the run-in.”

Nevertheless the omission calls into question whether Carrick will make the 23-man squad for Euro 2016. “A lot can change between now and the summer,” he said. “There are some big games and you have got to be consistent so that is how it goes.”

Carrick said he hoped the win over City can “turn things around” for United after a hugely disappointing season: “It has been frustrating because we know we have got performances in us, and you can see that against the so-called bigger teams, our form has been very good. So you can take positives from that but at the same time it’s not enough.”

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/football/2016/03/21/jose-mourinho-wants-atletico-technical-director-at-man-utd/

Three Lions trailed Germany two nil. It sure looked like this sucker was over. Not so fast bucko England scored three times in the final twenty five minutes to shock Germany 3-2 at the Germans house.

The Guardians Daniel Taylor filed this report. “The story of this match was so implausible, so entirely out of the ordinary and crammed into the most exhilarating half-hour period of Roy Hodgson’s reign, it was a night that demands an automatic place in the list of great England occasions. Two-nil down, playing the World Cup winners on their own ground, England’s response spoke volumes for the spirit of togetherness that Hodgson has been trying to foster and culminated in a victory that will be remembered with the fondness that is usually associated with the famous 5-1 in Munich.

When England are capable of these moments it is difficult not to feel a sudden wave of optimism about the team’s chances in Euro 2016. They had Germany rattled even before Eric Dier headed in the game’s decisive moment on the back of two wonderfully taken goals from Harry Kane and Jamie Vardy.

Hodgson still has some work to do with his defence but that would be nitpicking after a win of this nature and, amid all the drama, the players deputising for Wayne Rooney excelled in a way that will make it hard to see how he comes back into the team.

Vardy’s goal, in particular, was a piece of improvisational brilliance to flick in a cross, at high speed, from behind his standing leg. He had been on the pitch only two minutes and when that made it 2-2 it was thrilling to see the way England wanted more. Dele Alli, one of the outstanding performers, wafted one chance over an exposed net. Yet England still pushed forward and nobody could argue that Dier’s header, from Jordan Henderson’s corner, was undeserved.

Otherwise, the only real disappointment came in the form of the dreary songs about war planes that could be heard from England’s fans and the disorientating sight of the team wearing a garish all-red shirt and shorts combination with blue socks and patches on the shoulders. It is difficult to think of another team that wear the same colours and the reason for that, almost certainly, is that they possess better taste.

The important part for Hodgson, however, was to see whether his team could hold their own against category-A opponents and he would probably accept them wearing pink polka dots if it meant them playing with the confidence they showed in the early exchanges. Hodgson’s team knocked the ball around in a way that seemed beyond them when they were outpassed by Spain in Alicante in November. Dele Alli’s ability to break forward from midfield was a prominent feature and, approaching half-time, Hodgson must have been greatly encouraged by the structure of his team and pattern of play.

More than anything, there seemed to be a collective understanding that they were not coming up against one of the great German defences. There was a fortunate escape when Mario Gómez was denied a legitimate goal because of an errant offside flag but, that apart, England were looking so comfortable that it came as a jolt when Kroos grew tired of the impasse, advanced towards goal and delivered the swerving shot that beat Butland at his near post.

The goal was a personal ordeal for Butland, who had injured himself a couple of minutes earlier when he made a straightforward catch seem unnecessarily complicated and appeared to turn his ankle in the process. Kroos’s shot was struck with power and precision, moving deceptively in the air and dipping at the last moment, but Butland seemed hampered trying to push off the ground and his unsuccessful attempt to keep the ball out was his last involvement. Joe Hart’s understudy was in tears as he left the pitch on a stretcher but before then there had been a show of anger at himself and, overall, it was an inauspicious audition.

Eric Dier will also have to take a share of the culpability because of the uncharacteristic way he allowed Kroos too much time, and that was a great pity because until that point he had fitted seamlessly into England’s midfield. Perhaps this was the greatest lesson for Hodgson’s more inexperienced players. England had looked the better side for most of the first half but it was still only a mistake by the officials that prevented them trailing 2-0 at half-time.

These are the problems with a new, experimental side but the paradox was there was a good balance to the England team. Danny Rose had an impressive debut and when he surged forwards from his left-back position he and Danny Welbeck created lots of problems for Emre Can, playing on the right side of Germany’s defence.

England’s players struggled at times to find the killer pass but they had more of the ball than might have been anticipated and Alli seemed completely unfazed to be in such refined company. Hodgson was mistaken to compare him to Bryan Robson – the modern game is no longer physical enough to allow for a like-for-like version of the former England captain – but this was a marvellous display that must have gone a long way to cementing his place in the team.

The worry for Hodgson is not a new issue and relates to the team’s defence. Sami Khedira’s chipped pass for Germany’s second goal was weighted beautifully but Hodgson is entitled to be dismayed by the way Mario Gómez drifted in between Gary Cahill and Nathaniel Clyne to direct his header past Fraser Forster, Butland’s replacement.

England desperately needed a quick response and three minutes later Kane changed the complexion with an expertly taken goal. A corner had dropped nearby but Kane had his back to goal before a wonderful turn, eluding two opponents before driving a diagonal shot into the far corner.

What followed was extraordinary and will be remembered for many years.

http://www.theguardian.com/football/2016/mar/26/germany-england-international-friendly-match-report

They’re a team used to the later stages of the Champions League who have just been dumped out of the Europa League. They’re generally in the running for the Premier League title, but have no chance of winning this season’s. They’ve also been deeply tiresome to watch for long periods, an insult to a history coloured by Best, Cantona and Ronaldo.

It’s no surprise, then, that the departure of Louis van Gaal is being presented as a fait accomplis. But is this entirely fair, given the disorientating nature of this unexpectedly disruptive season? Is the emergence of a tranche of promising youngster a sign that Van Gaal is a rare man with an eye on the future in an era of chronic short-termism? And would his potential replacements really fare any better?

We asked our writers to answer the following question:

If Manchester United finish the season in the top four, should Louis van Gaal stay on as manager – or go?

Sam Wallace: Go

The natural cycle of Louis van Gaal’s time at Manchester United has clearly come to an end, and he is fortunate to have last as long as he has – even in spite of the derby day victory over Manchester City on Sunday.

Van Gaal has had two seasons, and an unprecedented budget to make United into title challengers and they are currently only one point closer to leaders Leicester City – 16 points ahead – than they finished behind champions Chelsea last season.

He has been embarrassed by the success of teams on much smaller budgets, Tottenham and Leicester in particular, and there is no evidence that whatever it is Van Gaal is trying to do is working.

There have been times this season when another manager would simply have lost his job, and justifiably so – not least the run of eight games from late November into December when United did not win once and lost four, including at home to Norwich City. Only the lack of quality in the rest of the league has kept United in the hunt for the Champions League places. United are currently averaging 1.6 points a game, as opposed to 1.8 last season.

It seems that Ed Woodward and the Glazer family do not want another brutal mid-season sacking like that which befell David Moyes. Traumatised by that episode they have resolved to do the opposite this time.

At least Van Gaal has given opportunity to the likes of Marcus Rashford, Jesse Lingard and Cameron Borthwick-Jackson, even if Rashford’s debut was more by luck than judgement. There is the basis of a good United side for next season with those young players, and provided they can add some more experience. With Van Gaal, it just feels that they will never achieve the consistency required to launch a serious

Luke Edwards: Stay

It will be huge risk for Manchester United to keep Louis van Gaal as manager, but it would not be a ludicrous decision if they finish in the top four.

That will have been the minimum requirement at the start of the season, but by definition, it still means van Gaal will have done enough to survive. It will keep the coffers swelled with European cash and provide the global exposure the brand needs.

Whether you like it or not, that matters as much to the United board as silverware. Depressing, but true.

The Dutchman has struggled badly in his second season and has, at times, been on the receiving end of some savage criticism from supporters, former players and media pundits.

There have been times when he has looked like a dead man walking, but then he suddenly shows signs of life. If United edge out West Ham and Manchester City to qualify for the Champions League, disaster will have been averted.

Crucially, though, other than a blast of “we’re s***and we’re sick of it” against FC Midtjylland in Denmark, there has not been a huge show opposition towards him from the supporters who actually bother to go to games, rather than pontificate about them at home, in pubs and on social media.

Given the amount of money that has been spent since he became manager, United really should have mounted a title challenge this season, but then again, so should Arsenal, so should Chelsea and so should Manchester City. It has been a strange season for the big clubs.

There is no question van Gaal has made some big mistakes and the style of football, at times, has been boring, ineffective and alien to many at Old Trafford raised on the attacking style and success of Sir Alex Ferguson.

However, changing managers for the second time in three years is not automatically going to improve things for United. They have been a club that has always preached stability.

There was always going to be a hangover when Ferguson retired, but it has been longer than anyone imagined. There is a view that altering things again in the dugout will slow the recovery rather than speed it up.

United supposedly give their managers time, van Gaal was given a three-year contract and told he would be judged at the end of it. He has another year to go.

His willingness to blood young players, as he did at Ajax, Barcelona and Bayern Munich, means his legacy at United may well be a good one. Game time for young players is so crucial in their development and 12 Academy players have made their debut this season. That is some statistic.

United can also still win the FA Cup. So for, me if United finish in the top four and win at Wembley in May, van Gaal should stay. Even if they lose out in the FA Cup, there is a reasonable argument to make for him to continue for another year, as unpopular as that will be for some of his fiercest critics.

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/football/2016/03/23/the-louis-van-gaal-referendum-should-he-stay-or-go-as-man-utd-ma/

This is only a sample. For insanity and idiocy click on the link and read at your own pearl of losing sanity and all reasoning.

Arsene Wenger’s long-term prospects appear bleaker than ever after their Champions League exit was confirmed by Barcelona last night, given they are already out of the FA Cup and trailing a distant third in the Premier League title race.

So what happens next? We canvassed opinion among our football experts, asking them the following simple question:

Jason Burt: GO

The answer is yes, although if Arsenal go on a storming run in the Premier League and narrowly miss out on the title then there could (just) be a case to be made for him staying on. But it is hard to see Arsenal getting to where they want to be now with Wenger as their manager. A discussion should take place at the end of the season with Wenger offered the role of director of football. He is perfect for that job. He should not simply leave the club.

It is awful to argue that managers should lose their jobs but Wenger’s position at Arsenal has to be looked at hard-headedly. The club needs a change. Be careful what you wish for, they say, and point to Manchester United as evidence: but that is only if the wrong choices are made as to who succeeds Wenger. Arsenal need fresh impetus, a new start. Wenger cannot provide that.

Oliver Brown: Stay

Wenger is right to be indignant over the “farce” of conjecture that has engulfed his future, having authored achievements at Arsenal that are nothing short of monumental. The fact that no Premier League champions for 11 years have lost fewer than three matches en route to the title should set the ‘Invincibles’ campaign of 2003-04, and a 49-game unbeaten sequence, in proper perspective.

There is also a sense that a cadre of Arsenal fans – marshalled by a certain narcissistic TV host – are almost willing their club to fail this season, if only to hasten Wenger’s exit. It is an attitude that pays no heed to the chaos that can follow the fall of a dynasty, as Manchester United have discovered to their cost. The Frenchman’s graceless, myopic detractors should be careful what they wish for.

Jim White: Go

It is time. His record has rightly insulated him from culpability for some time. But his deposits of good faith have now largely been expended. The excuse of the stadium development restricting budgets no longer holds true. Wenger had the resources this season and failed to capitalise on the best opportunity in a generation to win the title.

The question as to whether others might have done better with the same players is being answered weekly in the Premier League. One look at how Jurgen Klopp is transforming a thin Liverpool squad, or how Slaven Bilic has re-energised West Ham demonstrate how change can be beneficial. And if they cannot win as they are, Arsenal need to change. Urgently. One thing we can be sure of, excellent as his methodology has been in the past, Wenger is not about to change his ways.

Chris Bascombe: Stay

There will come a point in 10 years’ time when Arsene Wenger is invited back to the Emirates and the stadium will erupt in appreciation for the greatest manager in Arsenal’s history.

Amid the eulogies will be laments. “Why did we ever let him go?” will be the observation from those craving a return to Champions League football.

“He didn’t win enough while he was here,” will be the counter-argument, while acknowledging none of his successors have got close to replicating what he achieved in north London.

It is the prerogative of every football supporter to want more. Those who avoid relegation crave a better style and mid-table security; those in mid-table demand Europe; those in sixth must have Champions League football; Arsenal, always in the top four, must have the title; the title winners must win the Champions League; the Champions League winners must reinvent the game (again).

Arsenal fans have the luxury of being fatigued by consistent excellence. It is the classic case of staring at a work of art for so long you no longer see the qualities and become obsessed by the perceived blemishes.

Since having the honour of being a football reporter no manager in English football has impressed me more than Wenger. He compels his teams to play a purist form of the game and always achieves his primary target of Champions League qualification. And then he always escapes the group stages with astonishing consistency. His ‘invincibles’ remain the greatest of all Premier League teams, arguably the finest English club side of all time. Maybe that no longer counts for as much when seeking fresh honours, but the arrival of Arsenal under Wenger to a town near you is usually a guarantee of football as you want to see it played.

Even if the title-winning standards have slipped they are always contenders. It is a dilemma for fans and the clubs itself. It seems plenty is being discussed about what will be gained by replacing Wenger, and less thought given to what will be lost. By modern measurements of success, while the club continues to challenge for titles and make the knockout stages of the Champions League he is not failing. The least he deserves is the right to leave on his own terms.

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/football/2016/03/16/the-arsene-wenger-referendum-should-he-stay-as-arsenal-manager/

This is just a sample. For more click on the link and enjoy or say “What are you guys thinking? Don’t have something else better to write than this garbage.”

The Telegraphs Ian Whittell wrote this little diddy about how Man U took it to Man Shitty at Etihad and few other penetrating questions

Whittell started with this question-“So, how did United see off their old rivals?

The outcome of the game was probably decided in City’s midweek European game with Kiev when Vincent Kompany and Nicolas Otamendi collected injuries that ruled them out of this derby but Manuel Pellegrini’s problems extend way beyond his lack of cover in the centre of defence. City’s only win in their last six league games came at home against a wretched Aston Villa and the inconceivable notion of City finishing outside the top four places is edging ever closer. Whether or not the manner in which Pellegrini’s departure has been handled and announced has had an impact on their form, too many key City players are performing without desire or confidence. For once in this most trying of seasons for United, they were qualities displayed by their players.”

“What will Pep Guardiola have made of all this?

The consensus that the greatest active manager in the game was taking over the wealthiest club in a marriage made in heaven was a popular one when it was announced in February. In the 10 games since, City have won three games – at Dynamo Kiev, at home to Villa and in a penalty shoot-out in the Capital One Cup Final. This performance, possibly more than any that preceded it, must have set alarm bells ringing and not just because the lack of credible defensive cover was cruelly exposed. The Guardiola “shopping list” that has been widely talked about, with varying degrees of credulity, must be growing with every passing week because it is impossibly to imagine this squad, even when fully fit, achieving the goal of winning the Champions League within three years.

How did City’s defence cope without Kompany and Otamendi?

Not very well, is the simple answer. Martin Demichelis, at the age of 35, simply no longer has the pace or dexterity to play at this level as Marcus Rashford proved to devastating effect for the opening goal. His performance deteriorated from there. Martial skipped past him and almost scored; he escaped a strong penalty appeal from Rashford then, early in the second half, his poor back pass led to Hart injuring himself in clearing from Martial. It was an act of mercy when Pellegrini brought him off soon after.

At the other end of the experience scale, the 25-year-old Mangala cost City an astonishing £32 million but continues to struggle to live up to that price tag. Alongside Kompany, either player might have been less exposed; without him, they were both accidents waiting to happen.

Marcus Rashford. Obviously, a larger sample size than a career total of eight games is required before we can meaningfully address whether he is the real deal, but this goal was significant – and not just because it came in the 18-year-old Mancunian’s first local derby appearance. Four goals in his first two appearances could be explained as an aberration, especially as two of them came on a debut against hapless FC Midtjylland in the Europa League.

Five games without a goal – a sequence in which United won just once – suggested reality had set in but the pace, composure and instinct the forward showed in claiming the opening goal suggests Rashford has very real, and special, potential. Van Gaal frequently blames his club’s injury list for their woes but, in the case of Rashford, the lack of senior bodies has been the manager’s good fortune.

The treatment room. Kompany is expected to be out for at least a further month although Otamendi’s return is presumably imminent as he was given a healthy chance of being fit for Sunday. Now Joe Hart has added to the concerns with what appeared to be a calf injury. City’s season, which boils down to ensuring a top-four finish and advancing as far as possible in the Champions League, will surely revolve around how quickly those three players return to the fold.

More of the same. This was a United performance unrecognisable from much of the dire campaign that has preceded it. More direct and ambitious than has been the norm under van Gaal, United will have won major PR points with their supporters for the manner of this performance. But the pattern of United’s season – one step forward, several sideways and back – must be avoided at all costs.

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/football/2016/03/20/how-did-manchester-united-fend-off-city-to-win-this-crucial-derb/

Jesse Lingard indicated Rooney will rejoin Louis van Gaal’s first-team squad when training resumes at the club before Everton’s visit to Old Trafford on 3 April.

“He should be back after the international break,” said Lingard. “We have a lot of players coming back. That’s a massive boost for the squad.”

United beat Manchester City 1-0 in Sunday’s derby at the Etihad Stadium with Marcus Rashford scoring the winner. It was the 18-year-old’s fifth goal in his first eight appearances for the club but Lingard is confident he will remain focused.

“Marcus is grounded. He has to keep his feet on the ground and I have told him that already,” he said. “We look after the young ones and to see Marcus doing well is a great boost for all the club and the homegrown talent coming through.

“I just told him not to over hype things. He has done well and everybody is really happy for him. He doesn’t go out and doesn’t drink. He is not one of the lads to start going out and get a big head. He has always been a hard worker. I just think off the field is the most important thing. You have to get your rest and have your recovery time. He will enjoy it as well but will do it at the right time.

“When Marcus was coming through he was small but he is massive now and will fill out. He will cause defenders even more problems when he fills out. He always had the ability and everybody recognised that. The manager has given him the chance and he is scoring a lot of goals now for us.”

http://www.theguardian.com/football/2016/mar/21/wayne-rooney-return-manchester-united-after-international-break

Rashford’s 15th-minute strike – a fifth goal in eight appearances – proved the winner as United closed to within a point of City, who have 51 and occupy the final Champions League berth.

West Ham United also have 50 points and are ahead of United in fifth place on goal difference. City have taken only seven points from their last seven matches and Jesse Lingard revealed how Van Gaal and Rashford reacted to a win that may prove pivotal with all three clubs having eight matches remaining.

“The manager was buzzing. But obviously we know it is not like it is the last game of the season, we have to kick on now and focus on beating Everton,” said the forward of United’s next game, which follows the international break. “It is a massive win, the lads put a lot of effort in, we pressed really well and kept the ball really well. To get the early goal was massive for us.

“It is definitely a massive boost. But we have got to take it game by game still. We have gameplans for set teams and when we stick to them we usually win. Everyone will be relaxed when they come back and then we can focus on Everton. It is interesting now [the race for fourth] but we have to take it game by game, get our recovery, get our rest and go again.”

Rashford’s impressive goal, in which he raced past Martín Demichelis before beating Joe Hart, is the latest indicator he may become a fixture in the first team.

Lingard said Rashford felt the same emotion as his manager. “Yeah, he is buzzing but I was keeping him grounded. He is already grounded anyway to be fair, and has his feet on the ground. He is looking forward to the rest of his career now,” he said.

Rashford was also denied a first-half penalty when Demichelis barged him to the ground in the area. This led to an argument between the pair in which Fernandinho became involved. Lingard stepped in to protect Rashford. “I had to back him up and look after the young lads,” he said. “But I thought it was a penalty as well.”

This was Lingard’s first derby at the Etihad Stadium and he admitted they had targeted City’s veteran Argentina defender in the absence of captain Vincent Kompany. “It was good,” he said. “I came on earlier in the season against them [at Old Trafford] and they are a difficult side to play against because they keep the ball very well. But we exploited their weaknesses and we came away with the goal. We knew [Demichelis] was one of their weaknesses with Marcus’s pace running in behind and he has got his reward for it as well.

“It was a massive win. We’ve had two massive games this week and I thought we could have come away with a better result against Liverpool but coming here we had to stick to the gameplan, focus on what we had to do and it was great that we got the goal.”

http://www.theguardian.com/football/2016/mar/21/manchester-united-jesse-lingard-marcus-rashford-derby

Liverpool had a chance to stay within three points of fifth place West Ham and sixth place Man U. Yet a funny thing happened to the Reds when they ran into the Saints this past Sunday. Southampton scored three goals in the final twenty four minutes for the  win 3-2.

Liverpool is buried in ninth place 44 points. The Saints are in 7^th place with 47 big ones.

The Guardians Paul Doyle wrote- For a while it looked as if Liverpool were going to prolong their recent resurgence, but by the end Jürgen Klopp could only congratulate the hosts for a thrilling comeback and lament his team’s relapse into unreliability. The visitors were two goals up at the break but so slapdash and inferior in the second period that Klopp admitted: “Southampton deserved it for sure.”

Ronald Koeman’s side merit praise for their transformation and the fact that they never relented, not even after Sadio Mané had a penalty saved by Simon Mignolet in the 50th minute. Mané had been introduced as one of two substitutions made by Koeman during the interval and the Senegalese shrugged off the miss to play a key part, along with Victor Wanyama, in his team’s recovery, scoring twice and generally harassing Liverpool’s defence.

That defence never looked comfortable and will need to be strengthened if this team are to achieve sustainable progress. Dejan Lovren’s improved performances had been one of the features of Liverpool’s strong form going into this match but on his return to the club where he began his Premier League career, the Croatian fell back into the haplessness of his early Liverpool days.

He was fortunate to avoid giving away a penalty in the eighth minute after misjudging the flight of the ball and then making contact with Shane Long, who fell in the box. Southampton demanded a penalty but the referee, Roger East, disagreed. Long continued harassing Lovren for the remainder of the half, the Croat eventually earning a yellow card for chopping down his tormentor.

At least Liverpool were enjoying themselves at the other end. They took the lead in the 18th minute with a wonderful 25-yard curler by Philippe Coutinho. Divock Origi set up a second goal five minutes later, loping 40 yards forward and passing to Daniel Sturridge, who used Cuco Martina as a shield as he fired a low shot beyond Forster.

Joe Allen was guilty of allowing Forster to make a good save after a superb Liverpool move in the 26th minute, and the Welshman was then unlucky to have a goal disallowed on the grounds that the offside Mamadou Sakho had obscured Forster’s view. Koeman had spoken beforehand of his determination to avenge December’s 6-1 defeat here in the Capital One Cup but was beginning to fear a repeat. “But Liverpool left us alive after 45 minutes and we punished them for that,” he said.

Half-time changes by the managers had a major bearing on the result. While the Dutchman introduced Wanyama and Mané, Klopp replaced Lovren with Martin Skrtel because he feared that Lovren, barracked by the home fans, was inadvertently liable to give the hosts a route back into the game, especially as, in the German’s words, “it looked like the referee was not completely free any more of the emotion in the stadium”.

Skrtel had not played for three months following hamstring injury and it soon became clear that he was not going to help Liverpool navigate their way serenely to victory. Within five minutes he conceding a penalty for tugging Graziano Pellè’s shirt. Mignolet reprieved the defender by saving Mané’s spotkick.

But Southampton were encouraged, nonetheless, and Liverpool’s defence remained rickety, Skrtel’s woes raising the question as to why Kolo Touré was not deployed in his stead. Mignolet, meanwhile, was exacerbating the problems despite his penalty save, his attempts to clear crosses anything but convincing. “We lost our formation and could not avoid their long balls to Pellè any more,” said Klopp.

In the 64th minute, after Southampton won possession in midfield, Mané received the ball, skipped past Sakho and planted it into the net from eight yards.

Christian Benteke should have reopened a two-goal gap shortly after replacing Sturridge in the 70th minute but dragged badly wide after being put through by Adam Lallana. For Liverpool that attempted finish contrasted painfully with the one produced by Pellè seven minutes from full-time, the Italian lashing the ball in from 20 yards.

Liverpool could not even hold on for a point. Three minutes after conceding the equaliser, Mignolet triggered renewed panic with a weak kick. Skrtel and Allen completed the farce by colliding with each other as they attempted to tidy up, and Mané made the most of the mess by firing in the winning goal. “Tomorrow is my birthday and this is the best present I could get,” said Koeman. “This was a must-win game for European qualification. Now it is good to be fighting for something until the end of the season.”

Klopp insisted that Liverpool could still make the top four if they win all nine of their remaining matches, but the fact that his post-match diagnosis was barely audible spoke volumes.

http://www.theguardian.com/football/2016/mar/20/southampton-comeback-beat-liverpool-3-2

Man Shitty stays in fourth place with 51 points. This was Shitty’s ninth loss of the season. Man Shitty has lost three out of their last five matches.

Teenager Marcus Rashford struck gold for Man U in the 16^th minute. This was the only score of the match. What happened to Man Shitty’s explosive firepower? Where was Sergio Aguero? David Silva? Or Raheem Sterling? Jeeze Louise for all the supposed goal scoring ability these cats stunk the joint out big time.

For a club that was supposed to win the whole enchilada what happened to them on the way to their coronation as Chumps, I mean champs? Nine losses is really putrid.

Tottenham took care of business crushing AFC Bournemouth 3-0. The keeps Spurs within striking distance of first place Leicester City. The Foxes have 66 points. Second place Tottenham has 60.

Liverpool had a chance to move within three points of sixth place Man U. Instead Southampton stuck a fork in the Reds by scoring three goals in the final 24 minutes for the 3-2 win. The Saints are in seventh place with 47 points. Liverpool drops to ninth place with 44 points.

Liverpool took the quick two lead from goals by Phillippe Coutinho 17^th minute and Daniel Sturridge 22^nd minute.

Sadio Mane led the comeback with the daily double in the 66^th minute and the match winner in the 86^th minute. Sandwiched in between the Mane goals Graziano Pelle equalized in the 83^rd minute to set up the final fireworks by Mane.

Newcastle and Sunderland tied one all. This tie kept the Birdinhos Norwich City clear of the voce vai zone 17^th place 28 points. The Blacks Cats have a match in hand.

The Guardians Daniel Taylor on the Man U shocker of a win over Man Shitty. “There has not been a surplus of material for Manchester United’s highlights reel this season but amid all the disappointments, the lost points and fervent debate about Louis van Gaal’s suitability for the job, they chose a good moment to remember some of their old qualities from days gone by when these kind of joys were the norm rather than the exception.

Perhaps the greatest compliment that can be paid to Van Gaal’s men – and, admittedly, it is a back-handed one – is that they played as though affronted by the suspicion that has been circling that Van Gaal has put together the most undistinguished team to emanate from Old Trafford for almost 30 years. They have unearthed another gem in Marcus Rashford, scorer of the game’s decisive moment, and on this evidence it is perfectly plausible for them to think they can overhaul Manchester City to claim the fourth Champions League place.

For City, that represents a considerable embarrassment given the various ordeals that Van Gaal has encountered this season and the deception going back to last autumn of Manuel Pellegrini’s team winning their first five matches. Their deterioration since then is bordering on a full-on slump, one that could conceivably leave them in the Europa League next season, and for a club whose supporters like to sing how they “fight to the end” the truth is they folded far too easily.

http://www.theguardian.com/football/2016/mar/20/manchester-city-manchester-united-premier-league-match-report

Leicester City increased their lead over Tottenham to eight points with a 1-0 win over Crystal palace at the Eagles house at Selhurst Park. The match winner came in the 34^th minute. Riyad Mahrez poked home the rock to give the Foxes 66 points.

The Telegraphs Sam Wallace wrote- If in this, their season of seasons, Leicester City eventually win the first league title of their 132-year history, their supporters will always remembers days like these when they sung together long after the final whistle while the stadium announcer pleaded with them to leave Selhurst Park.

Strange days, joyful days, and another win on the road to the most improbable league title of the Premier League era, perhaps any era. It was Leicester’s day again, and it needs only to be their day again in six of the last seven games before the end of the league season and they will be the champions of 2016.

Riyad Mahrez scored the only goal in Leicester’s third successive 1-0 victory in the Premier League and, while these are narrow margins, there is no doubting the quality of the league leaders who Claudio Ranieri says are in the home straight. “Now I want to see my horses run”, he added, unwilling, as ever, to make any bold promises or stake any emotion on winning the title.

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/football/2016/03/19/leicester-have-all-the-hallmarks-of-premier-league-champions/

Spurs will have a hot date with AFC Bournemouth later today.

Chelsea was awarded a late controversial penalty in 89^th minute to draw even with West Ham at two all. The draw denied the Hammers to jump over fourth place Man Shitty. Cesc Fabregas converted the spot kick to break West Hams hearts at Stamford Bridge. Was this a little bit of home cooking? It sure looks like it.

Andy Carroll gave the Hammers the 2-1 lead in the 61^st minute.

West Ham is fifth with 50 points

Shitty and Man U will wage war later today at Etihad. The Red Devils are sixth with 47 points. A Man U win will draw them even on points with the Hammers however West Ham is a plus 12 while Man U is a plus ten. This could change if the Red Devils go on a scoring spree. Not in this lifetime.

Swansea City defeated Aston Villa 1-0 to sink Villa further in the whale dung position.

Stoke City defeated Watford 2-1.

Arsenal destroyed Everton 2-0. Roberto Martinez has guided the Toffees into the toilet bowl since he took over for David Moyes three years ago, Maybe Moyes should have stayed at Everton. This is just a thought.

Roberto Martinez is overrated and a bad manager.

The Birdinhos Norwich defeated West Brom. The Birdinhos are safe for now in 17^th place with 28 points. Sunderland is in 18^th place with 25 points. The Black Cats play later today against voce vai zone Newcastle. This match is anyone’s guess on who will win. Poetic justice would be a draw. Both suck big time.

The guys finally stopped the schneid. Arsenal shut down Everton with a huge 2-0 win. Goals by Danny Welbeck seventh minute and Alex Iwobi 42^nd minute sent the Toffees crashing and burning out at Goodison Park.

The win keeps us park in third place with 55 points. We still have a match in hand. The win ended a three match winless streak. My Gunners heading into yesterday’s match two losses and a draw.

We will see how this translates into catching first place Leicester City and keeping us ahead of fourth place Man Shitty, fifth place West Ham and sixth place Man U.

Both Shitty and the Red Devils have a huge war impending later today at Shitty’s house Etihad.

The Guardians Rob Smith summed up the match this way- “An accomplished performance from Arsenal keeps them in the title race. They were outstanding in the first half, when Danny Welbeck and Alex Iwobi scored, and comfortable in the second.”

http://www.theguardian.com/football/live/2016/mar/19/everton-v-arsenal-premier-league-live

The Daily Mail- Teenager Alex Iwobi scored his first goal for Arsenal as Arsene Wenger’s men bounced back from a disastrous week to maintain their faint hopes of a late Premier League title challenge.

The 19-year-old Nigeria international showed tremendous composure to score the visitor’s second shortly before half-time after Danny Welbeck had broken the deadlock early with his fourth goal in nine games.

After crashing out of the FA Cup and Champions League in the preceding seven days, it was an impressive statement of intent from Arsenal even though they still trail Leicester City and Tottenham in the table.

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-3500242/Everton-0-2-Arsenal-Danny-Welbeck-Alex-Iwobi-reignite-title-dreams-Arsene-Wenger-s-secure-three-points-Goodison.html#ixzz43MZjlvWx

The Guardians Andy Hunter wrote- The Drifters, or at least the latest reincarnation of a group that has had more parts than Trigger’s brush, provided the half-time entertainment at Goodison Park. Stand By Me was on the set-list and Arsène Wenger would have had just cause to sing along as Arsenal produced a dominant, incisive display to ease to victory against Everton.

A week of misery, with exits from the FA Cup and Champions League intensifying criticism of the Arsenal manager, ended in the release of a win that underlined why the men from the Emirates Stadium were regarded as Premier League title favourites this season.

Danny Welbeck established an important early lead and young Alex Iwobi sealed Arsenal’s first league victory since St Valentine’s Day with a debut goal for the club. The only anger that emanated from the away section was aimed at Stan Kroenke, the majority shareholder who was repeatedly and impolitely advised to “get out of our club”.

Roberto Martínez’s team simply could not cope with Arsenal’s pace or movement as they succumbed meekly to an eighth home league defeat of a demoralising season.

http://www.theguardian.com/football/2016/mar/19/everton-arsenal-premier-league-match-report

Man U and Liverpool tied one all at Old Trafford however the Reds won on aggregate 3-1 to advance to the quarterfinals of the Europa League.

The Guardians Jamie Jackson wrote- Jürgen Klopp declared he was delighted with Philippe Coutinho’s “genius moment” that helped Liverpool moved into the quarter-final of the Europa League at the expense of their bitter rivals Manchester United.

The Brazilian’s moment of magic, just before half-time, gave Liverpool a crucial away goal and punctured the Old Trafford atmosphere as Klopp’s men went on to seal a 1-1 draw and win the tie 3-1 on aggregate. Klopp also offered the suggestion that the game was effectively Liverpool v David de Gea following the goalkeeper’s impressive showing seven days earlier at Anfield. The draw for the next round takes place on Friday.

“It was nice and intense,” Klopp said. “You could feel the atmosphere again. They tried to play really offensive but we had our chances, it was Liverpool v De Gea. He was unbelievable again. We scored an unbelievable situation. Fantastic. The game changed. He [Coutinho] is a young lad still but he thinks about it. It was a perfect game and Philippe’s goal a genius moment.”

Asked who he would like to meet next, the former Borussia Dortmund head coach said: “All my friends in Dortmund want to play us – but only in Basel [in the final]. Dortmund? Of course not. Why should I want the strongest team in the next round? If we have to go there, we will try to win but there are no easy games any more in this competition.”

Jordan Henderson was ill at half-time and Klopp replaced the captain after 71 minutes. “Jordan vomited at half-time but then said he felt better. Everyone knows this feeling,” he added. “We knew they would show a reaction [from the first leg] and of course it was much more intensive from Manchester United than the first game.

“They were really direct with long balls to [Marouane] Fellaini and it was hard to react. We had a few problems in the first half, they won too many second balls but when we got the ball and used the time we had, and we often had more time then we thought, we created big chances. But De Gea had another good night in what has been a successful career.

“They got a penalty, I thought it was a penalty. I was very happy in the minutes before half-time because twice we reacted quicker than the opponent. Phil produced his brilliant moment and of course it decided the game.”

His opposite number, Louis van Gaal, claimed to be pleased with the United team. “I am not angry and I am not frustrated,” he said. “I was very proud of my players. I was very pleased that the fans also recognised that. They applauded after the match despite the fact we were out of the Europa League. That was remarkable, I think. But we have played like Liverpool played in the home match at Anfield. We have done that. We have created a lot of chances in the first half. We scored a penalty and then had chances from [Jesse] Lingard, Juan Mata, Fellaini.”

United now have to win at the Etihad Stadium on Sunday to close the four-point gap on their other major rivals, who are in fourth place. “We have to beat Manchester City because it is another chance to qualify for the Champions League,” said Van Gaal. “Manchester United always has pressure because expectations are very high. The pressure for these players is also very high. We know that and we can cope with that but we were not lucky.”

At the end a scuffle appeared to breakout involving some Liverpool fans who had entered a United section of the ground. Uefa may investigate this to decide if any sanctions are required.

http://www.theguardian.com/football/2016/mar/18/liverpool-europa-league-klopp-manchester-united-europa-league

Here is a real strange one. First Stan “the Fool” Kroenke is berated for not spending enough money. He is at odds with Arsène Wenger. Either one or both need to go now read this piece of drivel written by the Guardians Amy Lawrence. She thinks Wenger and Kroenke are too cozy with each other. What a crock BS.

Lawrence wrote- In an attempt to piece together elements of the puzzle that creates Arsenal’s current malady, it is useful to travel beyond the pitch where the team are struggling to perform. By all means start at the Emirates Stadium. After going out of the FA Cup, Per Mertesacker faced the music and tried to give an honest assessment of the team’s frustrations. “It looks like we play and play and play until the other team scores,” he said. Meanwhile Heurelho Gomes, the Watford goalkeeper who watched it all unfold, made a withering observation. “Arsenal give you too much space,” he assessed.

These are familiar criticisms of the team’s weaknesses, and Arsène Wenger seems not to have any easy answers right now.

Next stop, Villa Park. The visiting Tottenham supporters could not resist the chance to sympathise with poor old Aston Villa and mock their rivals in one pithy chant. “Lerner for Arsenal” was the message. Wishing Randy Lerner, a man whose ownership is leading his festering club towards inexorable relegation, on Arsenal was the kind of teasing to be expected across north London’s footballing landscape. But there is a finer point here.

Arsenal already have a generally absent and not palpably enthusiastic US proprietor of their own in Stan Kroenke. The sense of demise may not seem anywhere near as acute at Aston Villa’s but the lack of visible involvement and ambition shown by both men creates a distance that is not helpful in difficult times when leadership from the top can be influential.

Next destination, MIT Sloane Sports Analytics Conference, Boston. Last Friday afternoon Kroenke made an appearance at a big gathering of sports minds in the USA to take part on a panel called Evolution of Ownership. The brochure describes how the event was designed to examine, “a behind the scenes look into how owners, senior executives … make impactful decisions to continue to grow the sport and improve the bottomline”.

Kroenke does not often speak publicly so his opinions were valuable in gaining a little more insight into what he thinks about the Arsenal line in his collection of sports franchises. He admires “rational thought” in club ownership “so that they become real industries and real businesses. I have to have some reality involved. If you want to win championships then you would never get involved”. Such sentiments clang for a team who were top of the Premier League table on 2 January but are now trailing Leicester by a distance.

There was another dialogue that was very striking as he spoke about the levels of commitment of those who inject money into football clubs in Europe. “Over there it was sort of like: ‘Well, we’ve got guys from the Middle East, the oil price is over a hundred bucks, they can spend anything they want.’ The problem I saw with all that is that those people can lose interest. What happens when the Middle Eastern family loses interest and they decide to go home?”

There is specious logic at work here. Kroenke used the example of the Qatari owner of Málaga who was in and out the club like a whirlwind. He was pleased that in this case Arsenal were able to profit, buying Santi Cazorla and Nacho Monreal as Málaga began a fire sale. “We actually got two good players out of it,” Kroenke added.

But what of the owners who don’t lose interest? What of Manchester City who have just appointed Pep Guardiola to take over from Manuel Pellegrini and spent heavily last summer to recruit Kevin De Bruyne and Raheem Sterling? What of Paris Saint-Germain who have just won Ligue 1 in record time and are in the quarter-finals of the Champions League and desperate to push on? Arsenal, surely, have to at least attempt to measure their hopes alongside a Manchester City or Paris Saint-Germain rather than the Málaga example.

The convergence of Kroenke’s speech about sports business and Arsenal’s latest blow on the pitch screeched. It can be frustrating having an absentee landlord when the boiler breaks down. Kroenke is not hands-on and prefers not to be involved in the day-to-day management of the club while things tick along with a handsome bottom line.

Naturally it is up to each owner to make their own choices about how much energy as well as finance they are willing to invest. There are plenty of examples of owners who overly interfere so it’s hardly a perfect science (mentioning no names, Massimo Cellino). In Arsenal’s case, though, it’s reasonable to ask whether the relationship between Kroenke and Wenger is a little too comfortable.

The two men get along. The American likes and admires the Frenchman very much. In many ways, he is the perfect manager, and delivers a perfect model for an owner who maintains a focus on the business side performing. Conveniently, Wenger is also a lightning rod when there is any unrest. Hence a banner about the manager becomes an issue when there is seldom any visible negativity aimed at the owner. The majority owner has been present at the last few AGMs, the one day of the year he is exposed to fan agitation. Other than that, Wenger takes the flak.

The manager is thankful for the unquestioning support of the owner. The owner is thankful for a manager who understands economics and whose work suits his ideal of “real business”. The stasis goes on.

http://www.theguardian.com/football/blog/2016/mar/15/arsenal-stan-kroenke-arsene-wenger

What many of these fools forget is that Kroenke has taken Rams and run them into the toilet. He is about to do the same with Arsenal.

The Rams sunk out of St. Louis and are now in LA. The Rams are a joke. If Arsenal is not careful the guys will become a joke tambem.

Van Gaal told the Guardians Jamie Jackson “need to go step by step.” Jackson added “but this defeat was backward movement.” Jackson began with this, “Juan Mata spent the second half of Manchester United’s first defeat in five games watching from the press room after his sending off proved to be the prime factor in the continuing frustrations of this Louis van Gaal team.

Who knows what ran through the Spaniard’s mind when a rush of blood had him hacking at Darren Fletcher to give the referee Mike Dean little choice. Out came the referee’s yellow card and that was a second booking for the Spaniard in 158 seconds. Mata set off on the lonely walk from the pitch.

This was 26 minutes into a contest that never caught fire. Coming into the match the nagging question of United’s turbulent campaign had been: might Van Gaal’s pedigree finally show itself and the manager transform results from patchy to consistent? Win here and there might be conviction that United would put on a late-season surge that would keep their hopes of a top-four finish alive until the end.

The pattern thus far has felt like two steps forward and three back so Mata’s dismissal – his first yellow card was for failing to retreat at a free-kick – had a familiar feeling. The photograph taken of the moment he trudged past Van Gaal on the way to the dressing room required no speech bubble to articulate the 64-year-old’s thoughts.

Until that point United dominated without creating much: again the story of large swathes of their season. Now, even this territorial ascendancy was ceded as Tony Pulis’s toilers pinned the visitors back and threatened to score, with Craig Dawson going closest with a lob that beat David de Gea but fell wide.

United had won their previous four games, which equalled their best run of the season. In September, Southampton, Ipswich Town, Sunderland and Wolfsburg were all defeated in a rosy sequence that offered no sign of the travails ahead for Van Gaal. This time, Shrewsbury Town, Midtjylland, Arsenal and Watford had all been beaten as the Dutchman hoped to oversee a fifth win on the bounce for only the second time in his tenure.

In one sense the red card for Mata added to the test facing United. If taking on an in-form Pulis team away from home would show whether Van Gaal’s men were in renaissance mode or enduring the latest false dawn, the Spanish playmaker’s exit would make any victory more encouraging.

The problem here was Van Gaal’s natural conservatism being given an easy excuse with the manager having only 10 men on the field. It was the turning point, he said afterwards.

Mata’s removal caused a rejig that moved Marcus Rashford from No9 to the right as Anthony Martial moved inside from the left and Jesse Lingard took up the Frenchman’s position. As the interval came and went this had no material effect on United’s hopes of nicking a goal. They were as uninspiring as when operating with a full XI.

In the second half’s opening moments, Lingard aimed a shot at Ben Foster but it sailed on to the roof of the net.

Manchester City’s 4-0 pummelling of Aston Villa on Saturday had broken a dire trot of three consecutive league defeats for Manuel Pellegrini’s side and pulled them three points clear of United in fourth place. Yet just after the hour Van Gaal signalled a draw would be fine by taking off the forward-thinking Ander Herrera for safety-first Morgan Schneiderlin.

After Mata’s early shower, Van Gaal’s team played in a 4-4-1 formation and Schneiderlin’s introduction merely encouraged West Bromwich further on to United, and there was scant surprise when they struck.

Sébastian Pocognoli buzzed the ball over from the left and Salomón Rondón had an age in which to take a touch and hammer home from close range.

This was on 66 minutes so a sizeable chunk of the game remained for United to show character and belief by trying seriously to salvage a point. But after Memphis Depay replaced the anonymous Rashford, Van Gaal refused to utilise Marouane Fellaini’s directness up top and instead replaced Matteo Darmian, a defender, for Timothy Fosu-Mensah, a defender.

The defeat keeps United in sixth place after West Ham United won on Saturday. Liverpool’s last-minute victory at Crystal Palace moved them to within three points and they have a match in hand. Jürgen Klopp’s team are seventh, the position United finished under the doomed tenure of David Moyes, who was sacked after 34 games.

“It is very difficult to play against 11 players. That is the reason we lost this game,” said Van Gaal who beforehand offered: “We have to go step by step. The last four matches have been great, but we still have to go step by step.”

This ended as a backward movement – a familiar direction for Van Gaal and his side.

http://www.theguardian.com/football/2016/mar/06/manchester-united-louis-van-gaal-the-hawthorns-jamie-Jackson

The guys gave it the good old college try against Barcelona but in the end Barca was too strong winning in a cake walk 3-1 and 5-1 on aggregate. Barcelona advances to the quarterfinals of the Champions League. Down 2-0 entering into Camp Nou it was a long shot at best my Gunners would pull off the shocker upset city of all time.

Neymar started off the hit parade in the 18^th minute with a shot that was slipped to the bottom left corner for the one nil lead. Arsenal came back to score the equalizer in the 51^st minute. Mohamed El-Nenny got behind the “D” and curled a shot that flat out beat Busquets to draw us even at one all.

It looked like game on. Not so fast bucko Barcelona put this sucker out of reach with an I’ll show how good I am goal by Suarez in the 65^th minute. The Guardians Scot Murphy described the Suarez goal this way- “Barcelona step it up a bit! And this is a spectacular one. Dani Alves makes good down the right, and stands one up into the middle. There appears to be no danger, because Suarez, level with the left-hand post and 12 yards out, seems to be a little ahead of the ball. But he leaps, contorts his body, and whips an absurd volley into the top right, Ospina no chance! A suggestion (only a suggestion, mind) that it might have come off his shin, but even if that’s the case, it’s still a brilliant goal: he was forcing that ball into the net by hook or by crook! Stunning improvisation!”

http://www.theguardian.com/football/live/2016/mar/16/barcelona-v-arsenal-champions-league-last-16-live

Messi added his gem in the 88^th minute for the final score of three one.

The Guardians Murphy summed up the match this way “A great opportunity for Sanchez to score a consolation against his old club, but latching onto a Giroud backheel, squirts wide from near the penalty spot. And that’s that! The European champions make the quarter finals with ease. Though Arsenal played well tonight, and for a few minutes back there, gave their hosts something to think about. Ultimately, though, quality told. Just look at the goalscorers: Neymar, Suarez, Messi. Three delightful finishes. Can anyone stop this astonishing side becoming the first team to retain the European Cup since Milan?” (See above reference)

Look we have to get real Barcelona is one of the best clubs on the planet. Barca has three of the best players on the planet tambem. So what do you expect? Chopper Liver?

The guys worked hard, played hard and didn’t quit however this was not enough to beat Barcelona.

The Telegraphs Jason Burt wrote –“This was another of those ‘if only’ performances from the ‘if only’ team that is Arsenal as they went out of the Champions League for the sixth season in a row at the last-16 stage.

Losing to the best team on the planet is no disgrace and Arsenal played encouragingly well. In the constant and rare rain of a March evening in Barcelona they refused to be washed away. But for Arsene Wenger it was a familiar sense of regret.

That regret was heightened by another ‘if only’ – if only Arsenal had managed to sign Luis Suarez. He returned to create one goal, score a spectacular one of his own and kill hopes of an unlikely comeback. If only Arsenal took their chances.”

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/football/2016/03/16/barcelona-3-arsenal-1-report-another-if-only-night-for-wenger/

Their 2-0 defeat to the Catalans a fortnight ago has left them needing a sporting miracle – beating the best side in club football by three clear goals.

A lost cause? Well, not quite. But here’s how they might do it.

Although Dani Alves and Jordi Alba are both well-renowned for their attacking exploits, they have been susceptible defensively.

With the skills that Alexis Sanchez possesses and the blistering pace of Danny Welbeck, they will create opportunities for Arsenal at the Nou Camp. And as one full-back gets taken on, the other is often caught napping at the back post.

Therefore, it is vital that the opposite winger attacks the back post when the ball gets played into the box. Barcelona have conceded a number of goals like this already this season, and there is no reason why Arsenal cannot capitalise on this.

Maintaining the theme of the importance of Arsenal’s wing-play on Wednesday, Olivier Giroud’s height advantage over 5ft 7in defender Javier Mascherano could be significant.

Whilst Barcelona have only conceded four goals in their last seven matches, three of them have been from crosses, so it is important that Arsenal utilise this tactic and get crosses in the box for Giroud to attack.

Giroud’s height and technique will also be key when it comes to his hold-up play too, as his strength height will allow him to bring others into play, as well as winning the all-important flick-ons for the likes of Sanchez and Welbeck to attack.

The Chilean forward was sold to Arsenal by Barcelona at the end of the 2013/14 season to facilitate Lionel Messi, Luis Suarez and Neymar forming their deadly triumvirate.

Yes, we all know Sanchez won the FA Cup in his first season at the Emirates, but he must be looking on with envy when he sees the MSN linking up to devastating effect on a weekly basis. It’s the case of the ex-girlfriend upgrading.

Sanchez has a point to prove to his former employers, and if comes close to displaying the form he displayed last season in his first return to the Nou Camp, he will definitely cause problems for the Barcelona defence.

Whether or not you want to believe that Pique deliberately got himself suspended in first leg, his absence will be a big miss in Barcelona back line.

If Arsenal have anything about them, they will aim to attack Barcelona from the first whistle, making the home side nervous without their talismanic centre-half.

It is likely that Jeremy Mathieu will deputise, a player that is susceptible to errors. Another ray of light for Arsenal (of sorts).

Barcelona’s complacency should be used a motivation tool for Arsenal.

They are on on fire at the moment, and March is normally the time where they rev that little bit harder on their engine. However, Barca know that have the upper hand over Arsenal which could cause them to take their eye off the road.

Plus, if you are of the school of thought that believes Pique deliberately got himself booked in order to be available for the next round, then you wonder how many of their squad believe this tie is already in the bag.

Just when we thought were clutching at straws, an actual stat that works in Arsenal’s favour.

On the last two occasions that Barcelona have been knocked out of the Champions League last 16 stage, they have been eliminated by English opposition.

They came unstuck against Liverpool (and Craig Bellamy’s golf swing) in 2007, and were defeated by Jose Mourinho’s Chelsea in 2005

Another positive stat for Arsenal.

On the three occasions they have visited the Nou Camp they have registered a goal. They need two at least, and to not concede if they are going to have a chance of winning.

Arsenal to not concede? Tall ask. But they could well score.

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/football/2016/03/14/how-can-arsenal-pull-off-a-champions-league-miracle-and-beat-bar/