St James' Park, Newcastle

Next Game

Newcastle v Arsenal

Sunday, 19 May 2013, 16:00

Barclays Prem

Emirates Stadium

Last Game

Arsenal 4 - 1 Wigan

Tuesday, 14 May 2013, 19:45

Barclays Prem

McDermott expects Arsenal revival

Reading manager Brian McDermott rejects the suggestion Arsenal are a club in crisis and predicts they will still finish in the top four.

Last Updated: 16/12/12 at 18:36 Post Comment   

McDermott: Says Arsenal are a stable club

McDermott: Says Arsenal are a stable club

The Gunners head to the Madejski Stadium on Monday reeling from their Capital One Cup quarter-final defeat by League Two Bradford, a moment that has been described as the lowest point of Arsene Wenger's 16-year reign.

It has been a difficult season for Wenger, who now finds himself in the unprecedented position of being the third favourite to become the next Premier League manager to lose his job.

But McDermott, who leads the sack race at 7/4, believes Arsenal remain in safe hands with the Frenchman in charge.

"Arsene has been there for a long time and it is a stable club. I don't look at a situation in football as being a crisis," he said.

"Arsenal are a massive club and well run financially. They are a terrific institution. I can't see them being in crisis.

"They generally come good at the back end of the season. They always make the Champions League and I wouldn't back against them finishing in the top four.

"Arsene himself is always being asked why they haven't won a trophy for seven years.

"I am sure he is fed up with it and I understand the fans' frustrations. But Arsene will want to win trophies more than anyone."

Victory on Monday is essential for both teams with Reading seeking to begin their climb out of the relegation zone following five successive defeats.

Four of those were on the road, however, and with three of the next four being staged at home, McDermott knows his team are entering a critical period.

"At one point last season we had five defeats and we're determined to turn it around," he said.

"We want to get out on the pitch and perform again. We just need a result for it to change.

"We're playing at home which is massively important for us. We have home games coming up which is important because the Madejski will be integral to where we end up."

Reading are desperate to atone for their worst defeat of the season yet, a 3-0 loss at Sunderland last Tuesday that has cranked up the pressure on McDermott.

"There's no doubt we were short the other night, but before that we have been so close to getting over the line," McDermott said.

"I had a text from someone who said, 'You've had no luck whatsoever', so that's got to change. We'll just keep doing what we're doing.

"But the only thing anyone is interested in is results, and I know that."

Football365 Facebook Fan Page

The Football365 fan page is a great place to meet like minded people, have football related discussions and make new friends.

Related News

Sky Bet

    • Retrieving latest Sky Bet odds

Most Commented

Readers' Comments

I

m starting to think Roman may never actually be happy at the top level. If he wants all conquering fancy football I wonder if he'd be better off buying a lower division side then paying outlandish salaries to attract high caliber players too good for the division.

john matrix
The Most Unsatisfying European Victory...

R

afa has to be favourite for the Everton job now, surely :) He'll realise his ambition to live and work on Merseyside again, get the best out of whoever plays for them, maybe win some cups and be thoroughly loathed by the toffee fans. What's not to like? Go ead, Ken, gimajob!

captbusby
Benitez basks in final glory

T

hat is arguably the least inspiring England I have ever seen. There is not a single name in that list that makes me think I might actually want to watch this team. Not a one.

harry hotspur
Carroll back in England squad

Footer 365

Hodgson plea for clubs' help

England boss Roy Hodgson has called for Manchester City and Tottenham to follow Chelsea's lead and release players early.

Bundesliga: Fortuna down in dramatic finale as Hoffenheim and Augsburg escape

Fortuna Dusseldorf were relegated from the Bundesliga as Hoffenheim and Augsburg staged final-day escape acts.

Hibs and Saints win, Dons draw

David Wotherspoon clinched a 1-0 win for Hibs over Dundee, while St Mirren also won and Aberdeen and Hearts shared a 1-1 draw.

Mail Box

James Collins Is Only 29. Tough Paper Round

He is one of a number of solid shouts for players that look old before their time. We also have the final words on lovely D-Beck and a rejection of end of season playoffs...

Without Posh, Becks Could Have Been Scholes

That's one opinion, but others give their thanks to the man. We also have ideas for a relegation playoff, happy memories of the season and a defence of Liverpool's campaign...

© 2013 British Sky Broadcasting Ltd. All Rights Reserved