Wenger satisfied as Arsenal cruise at Stoke
- by Fredrick Graves
- in Sport
- — May 16, 2017
On Saturday, fans flew another plane flying a banner that said "Wenger - Out Means Out".
As for his own role in the victory, the striker said he felt "sharp" and when asked about rumours linking him with a possible exit from Anfield in the summer, he said: "I don't have any worries about next season".
'I am paid to do my job, for a club I love, and I will do that as long as I am here, with commitment.
In the last five years, no Premier League team has a better record in April and May than Arsenal.
"I want to focus on football". I'm not in politics.
"I am in sport, I love sport, I give 24 hours a day for what I love and all the rest, I am in a public job, some agree with me, some do not".
"There's no information about that", said Wenger.
The battle for Champions League berths sees the Gunners three points behind fourth-placed Manchester City, with both having two matches left, and four points behind third-placed Liverpool, who have one game remaining following Sunday's 4-0 victory at West Ham.
Pardew thinks Wenger's switch is the reason Arsenal are still in with a chance of qualifying for the Champions League.
"At the moment we have consistency and let's finish well".
"We had three wins in a very convincing way so the focus is there, the desire to play together is there and the fighting spirit is there and of course we are very pleased for that".
"I don't think like that".
Soon after, it was 4-1 to the north Londoners, with Giroud netting his second of the game to seal an impressive win for Wenger and co. "Sunderland have nothing to lose".
The Gunners had not won on their previous six visits to the venue, but took the lead with a well-crafted move as Hector Bellerin picked out Olivier Giroud for a tap-in before Alexis Sanchez combined with Mesut Ozil, who coolly tucked home in the second period. Sanchez was excellent and just before he was due to come off injured, he popped up and scored the third goal.
"What do you think?" smiled Wenger when asked if that was why he referred to a "clean sheet". "I was surprised he got to the ball when I saw his position, and people told me it was handball".
There is also the possibility that Manchester City, now fourth, could lose their two remaining matches as another avenue for the Gunners to get into Europe's showpiece tournament.
"The physios told me Alexis Sanchez wanted to come off". "I thought he had done a stomach muscle so it might go away and I could see how he responds". Not only because he is a special talent, but he always finds the resources. Even a draw probably won't be enough for Hull because of its inferior goal difference.
"You just expect two teams to play with full power - if the other teams are better, they are better".