A grudge match at Old Trafford, Arsène Wenger looking to settle his affairs and Jonny Evans seeks to appease
Even those in Arsenal’s “Leave” camp might indulge Arsène Wenger’s chance to tick off missing items in his résumé. Winning the Europa League would end a sorry story in European finals: Wenger holds the unenviable record of defeats in each of the three competitions he has contested. The League Cup has been almost as cruel, even if Wenger has used the competition as work placement for youngsters. A selection including teenagers Theo Walcott and Cesc Fàbregas was eventually overpowered by a full-bore Chelsea team and a Didier Drogba winner in 2007’s final, and his team were also beaten in 2011. “They are destroyed,” said Wenger aftera communication breakdown between keeper Wojciech Szczesny and defender Laurent Koscielny allowed Obafemi Martins to score Birmingham City’s late winner. Beating Manchester City would bury those ghosts from Wenger’s wilderness period, during which Arsenal went nine years without silverware. And winning at Wembley on Sunday and in Lyon in May might even convince him it is finally time to pull the curtain down. JB
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