Wenger pins hopes on last-day Arsenal coup
Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger voiced belief his side can steal into the Champions League places on the season's final day after beating Sunderland 2-0 to keep their hopes alive.
Arsenal’s French manager Arsene Wenger during the English Premier League football match between Arsenal and Sunderland at the Emirates Stadium in London on May 16, 2017. / AFP PHOTO / Adrian DENNIS / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or ‘live’ services. Online in-match use limited to 75 images, no video emulation. No use in betting, games or single club/league/player publications. /
Alexis Sanchez’s brace means Arsenal could yet secure a top-four finish by beating Everton at home on Sunday, but only if fourth-place Liverpool — a point above them — slip up at home to Middlesbrough.
Third-place Manchester City are also within mathematical reach, but only if they lose at Watford, Arsenal beat Everton and there is a five-goal swing in goal difference.
“We’ve got in on the final day many times,” Wenger told BBC Sport after Tuesday’s game at the Emirates Stadium.
“We made 71 points and were second. We now have 72 and want to go to 75. After that you deal with what happens.”
Relegated Sunderland frustrated Arsenal until Sanchez popped up to score twice from close range in the final 18 minutes, taking his tally for the league campaign to 23 goals.
“We had plenty of shots on goal, but we needed to be patient,” Wenger said.
“We were frustrated at half-time not to be leading. Sunderland fought and you want that in the Premier League — that’s what you want from every team.”
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