Forums » Off-Topic Discussions
big night might be the turning poi
-
A defiant Arsene Wenger has come out fighting after a week of criticism and debate about his future as Arsenal manager. Air Force 1 Green Cheap . Following Sundays shock home defeat to Watford that knocked the Gunners out of the FA Cup quarter-finals, a section of the clubs supporters have called for the Frenchman to go.Sky Sports football expert and ex-Arsenal striker Alan Smith also believes the club should review Wengers position at the end of the season should they fail to make-up the 11-point gap on Premier League-leaders Leicester and miss out on the title, with nine games left to play. Can Arsenal salvage season? Former Arsenal striker Alan Smith surveys the scene at the Emirates But, ahead of their Champions League last-16 second-leg in Barcelona, Wenger staunchly defended his record under difficult financial circumstances since he joined the club in 1996.He said: I built the club with hard work, without any external resources and, if you compare where we are today to when I arrived, we have moved forward and without any money from anybody, just the money we produced from the work.The problem when youre a long time somewhere [is that] you are questioned about your dedication, but I dont question my dedication at all and I give more time to my club now than when I arrived. Some Arsenal fans have been campaigning to get rid of Wenger I have no doubts about my huge motivation. I am even more motivated from the first day I arrived and feel the pressure and the responsibility to keep moving this club forward more now.I am honest enough to make sure that I give my best. Im not too much of an image person, I just want to think I give my best for this club and Im determined to do that. Honest dedication and total commitment is the most important thing.Asked whether he was affected by recent fan criticism, Wenger said: I dont want to go into that discussion because it can be interpreted both ways.Arsenal face a huge task at the Nou Camp on Wednesday, attempting to overcome a 2-0 first-leg deficit against the reigning European and Spanish champions. Wengers side are 11 points behind Premier League leaders Leicester But, after a run of one win in seven matches in all competitions, Wenger believes a remarkable result in Catalonia can kick-start their dwindling Premier League campaign for the last remaining games.We have gone through a disappointing spell recently, with our results, but its important to stay calm and strong, he said.I have played 200 Champions League games. We have won everywhere in Europe but not here yet. So we have the chance to achieve that tomorrow.Im convinced that the players have decided and are united to give a strong response tomorrow and Im convinced that a great result tomorrow would be a big boost for the rest of the season. Also See: Fans divided on Wenger Koscielny boost for Arsenal Can Arsenal salvage season? Alves: Sanchez needs glory Air Force 1 White Cheap . FIFA said the suspension was requested by ethics prosecutor Michael Garcia, making Beckenbauer the first person to be punished as a result of the case. Beckenbauer refused "repeated requests for his assistance, including requests that he provide information during an in-person interview or in response to written questions provided in both English and German," FIFA said in a statement. Air Force 1 Discount . His absence against the Celtics comes a day after he scored 43 points in the Heats 100-96 win at Cleveland.WASHINGTON -- Denard Span will take the five hits, of course, especially with three of them coming off Johnny Cueto. Hell take greater satisfaction in the way he was able to create havoc the way a leadoff hitter should, using his speed to get the Cincinnati Reds to commit a pair of errors in the Washington Nationals 9-4 win Tuesday night. "I got more gratification just disrupting them and getting them to throw the ball away," Span said. "For me thats how I have to take over a game." And take over, he did. He finished 5 for 5 with two runs, two doubles, two RBIs and a stolen base as he and the Nationals accomplished a first for 2014: They made Cueto (4-3) look mortal. The Reds ace allowed more than two runs, more than five hits and failed to pitch at least seven innings -- all for the first time this season. His final line: 5 1-3 innings, six hits, eight runs (six earned), six strikeouts. He also hit two batters in the same inning -- the seven-run sixth when the Nationals blew the game open. "They played really well. And you know what? Im human. Im human," Cueto said through an interpreter. "I just got to keep my head up and keep working. Thats all I got to do." It was Cuetos shortest start since Sept. 16, 2013, and his most runs allowed since Sept. 22, 2010. His ERA rose from 1.25 to 1.86. He wasnt helped by a Reds defence that committed four errors -- twice as many as in any previous game this season. "He wasnt just the groundball machine, strikeout machine that hes been to this point," Reds manager Bryan Price said. "Its just the law of averages caught up with us today." Doug Fister (1-1), making his home Nationals debut, allowed two runs and six hits over seven innings with good movement on his fastball. He had a streak of 12 retired batters in a row, and he worked out of a jam in the sixth with the help of a diving stop by third baseman Anthony Rendon and a tiptoe stretch by first baseman Tyler Moore that turned Rendons throw into the third out. Above all, Span was the unstoppable agitator, and it paid off in the Reds calamitous third and sixth innings. Fister led off the third by reaching on an error when first basemann Todd Frazier couldnt backhand a grounder. Air Force 270 Store. Span then tried to bunt his way on and did even better, laying one down that prompted a wide throw from third baseman Ramon Santiago. Fister scored all the way from first, and Span ended up on third and scored on Rendons sacrifice fly to give the Nationals a 2-1 lead. In the sixth, Span led off with a single, then stole second and went to third when catcher Brayan Penas throw went into centre field. Span scored on Jayson Werths RBI single and eventually came around to bat again in the inning, bringing home two more runs with a double off lefty reliever Sean Marshall. "Thats a good sign. I hit a lefty like that, a breaking-ball lefty," Span said. "Stay back and drive the ball like that. I havent done that in a while." The evenings work raised Spans batting average from.239 to .263. Before the game, manager Matt Williams said he was sticking with Span when asked about a possible change in the leadoff spot. The big night might be the turning point that justifies Williams patience. "Looking back at last year, he started a really good streak in the second half," Williams said, "so certainly it can get him going." NOTES: Spans five hits tied a career high. ... The Reds have committed six errors thus far in two-game series -- they had only 13 all season before arriving in D.C. ... Cincinnati 1B Joey Votto missed his fifth straight game with a strained left quadriceps. Price said he hopes Votto will return when the Reds open a homestand Friday. "We just remain optimistic that Joeys going to be ready to play when we get back." ... Cincinnati RHP Mat Latos (left knee, right elbow) threw the equivalent of two innings in a simulated game and could be slotted for a minor league rehab start Sunday. ... Reds OF Jay Bruce (left knee) is eligible to return from the disabled list Wednesday. ... Nationals 3B Ryan Zimmerman (right thumb fracture) saw an occupational therapist to get a splint and that will allow him to start throwing the ball. Theres still no timetable for his return. ... Reds RHP Alfredo Simon faces RHP Tanner Roark in Wednesdays series finale. ' ' '