Arsene Wenger has challenged his Arsenal stars to silence the critics once and for all by making a sustained challenge for the Premier League title.
Wenger’s side have endured plenty of flak from pundits and even Arsenal fans in recent years after a series of underwhelming attempts to win the title for the first time since 2004.
Those doubters grew even more vocal when the Gunners made a spluttering start to the season, but they have responded with an impressive run which peaked on Tuesday with a 2-0 win over Bayern Munich in the Champions League.
Arsenal return to domestic action when Everton visit the Emirates Stadium on Saturday and Wenger wants another strong performance to convince the cynics that they can last the pace in the title race.
“You gain credibility through consistency and when people think this could be a game where we could slip a bit and you respond in a positive way,” Wenger said.
“It shows that our consistency is questioned by many people which is not based on mathematics and statistics, but more on preconceived ideas and it is down to us to change people’s minds.
“The longer we last (at the top), the more people will give us credit for it.”
Manchester City midfielder Kevin de Bruyne is relishing the chance to inspire his first derby victory against Manchester United when the Premier League leaders visit Old Trafford on Sunday.
De Bruyne will experience the hostility and passion of the Manchester derby for the first time following his £55 million ($84 million) move from Wolfsburg in August.
The 24-year-old Belgian has already made a big impact at City and added to his popularity with the stoppage-time goal that clinched a crucial Champions League win against Sevilla on Wednesday.
From the Denis Law flick that effectively relegated United in 1974 all the way through to Mario Balotelli’s unveiling of his “Why Always Me” t-shirt during a 6-1 romp four years ago, City fans have always reserved a special place in their hearts for players who can inflict misery on the old enemy.
Now De Bruyne, who has five goals in nine appearances for Manuel Pellegrini’s side, has set his sights on joining the select group of City stars who have tormented United.
“I am very excited. These are the moments you live for as a player,” De Bruyne said.
“There will be a lot of atmosphere. Great games and derbies are the most important games for the fans. Hopefully we can do good on Sunday.”
– Memorable contribution –
City have won on three of their last four visits to Old Trafford, but they lost 4-2 there last season, a result United surprisingly achieved without a goal from Wayne Rooney.
With 11 career goals in the Manchester derby, Rooney has been a constant menace to City and the United captain, whose brilliant overhead kick to win the derby in 2011, would dearly love to mark his 30th birthday on Saturday with another memorable contribution.
A Rooney-inspired triumph would be especially timely as Louis van Gaal’s team will leapfrog City to the top of the table if they win and Arsenal drop points against Everton.
After a dismal start to their title defence, Chelsea can only look on enviously as their rivals step up their bids to take the trophy from Stamford Bridge.
The Blues are languishing 10 points behind City in 12th place after a campaign scarred by lacklustre displays, rumours of dressing room rifts and outbursts from the increasingly tetchy Jose Mourinho.
Yet Chelsea captain John Terry has seen encouraging signs in the last week following a 2-0 win over Aston Villa and a gritty goalless draw against Dynamo Kiev.
“We are a great side and we will get there with the hunger and the ambition that is in the squad,” Terry said.
On Sunday, Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp will take charge of his first home Premier League match when Southampton visit Anfield.
Sam Allardyce is looking for his first win as Sunderland manager when arch rivals Newcastle make the short trip to the Stadium on Light.
The Black Cats were beaten at West Bromwich Albion in Allardyce’s first game last weekend, but they haven’t lost against Newcastle since 2011.
Fixtures (1400GMT unless stated)
Saturday
Arsenal v Everton (1630GMT), Aston Villa v Swansea, Leicester v Crystal Palace, Norwich v West Brom, Stoke v Watford, West Ham v Chelsea
Sunday
Bournemouth v Tottenham (1305 GMT), Liverpool v Southampton (1515 GMT), Manchester United v Manchester City (1305 GMT), Sunderland v Newcastle (1100 GMT)
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