Wenger Vision at the Emirates Weekly Football News 4 3 13

Weekly Football News, March 4 2013

Wenger: We could be in the Europa League next season

Arsene Wenger, the increasingly embattled Arsenal manager, has admitted that he can see the Gunners failing to qualify for the Champions League next season.

Wenger has led Arsenal into Europe's premier club competition for the past 15 seasons, but Sunday's 2-1 defeat at Tottenham has left them languishing seven points behind third-placed Spurs and five behind Chelsea in fourth with 10 Premier League games left.

"It will be difficult to come in the top four now as we dropped points we couldn't afford to drop," Wenger said.

"I said before the game we couldn't drop these points and I stand by that. It's a massive challenge but it's still possible to finish fourth so we will fight for it, that's for sure."

Arsenal have not finished below their North London rivals in the league since 1995.

Ferguson puts rivals on notice

Sir Alex Ferguson has put the remaining teams in Champions League on notice after claiming that victory over Real Madrid on Tuesday would fill his side with the confidence they can claim a third CL title.

Manchester United lifted the trophy in 1999 and 2008, but must first overcome Real after drawing 1-1 in the first leg in Spain.

"To beat Real Madrid on our own ground would be a great step forward for this particular team," Ferguson said. "It would give us a chance of going all the way in this tournament.

"It will be a fantastic night.

"You are talking about two of the greatest clubs in the world. Emotions will be high and I am sure it will be a tremendous match."

The much-anticipated tie will mark the first time that Cristiano Ronaldo has returned to Old Trafford since he left United to join Madrid in a world-record £80 million transfer in 2009, while Ryan Giggs is primed to make his 1000th professional appearance.

Coach Girard to leave French champions

Reigning coach-of-the-year in France Rene Girard will not be offered a contract extension after struggling to mastermind Montpellier's title defence.

After taking charge of the club in 2009, Girard led the minnows to the Ligue 1 crown last season despite pressure from big-spending PSG in a close-run title race.

However, the Mediterranean club have fared less well this season, currently sitting in sixth place, 10 points off the pace.

"Overall I am happy with the work he has done and I thought at one point that we would give him a one year contract extension," president Louis Nicollin told L'Equipe. "But no-one dictates to me what to do.

"It's me that pays the money and it's me that decides. So we will end it there."

Wanderers aim to make history

Western Sydney Wanderers, the A-League's newest club, have moved a point clear in the race for the Premiership in Australia with just four matches remaining.

The Wanderers, coached by former Socceroos defender Tony Popovic, jumped above long-time leaders Central Coast with a battling 1-0 win over the Mariners in Gosford, Labinot Haliti scoring the crucial winner nine minute from time.

What's more, Popovic's classy side recorded their eighth consecutive win in the process, equalling Melbourne Victory's A-League record.

"Every week you ask me the same thing: will they [the players] get complacent?" Popovic told reporters afterwards. "Eight wins in a row shows they're not getting complacent and they certainly won't be next week."

Compiled by Marc Fox