There won’t be many more managers in the Premier League who will have endured a more difficult weekend than Arsenal (20/1 Champions League outright) boss Arsene Wenger.
The Gunners are yet to win a game in the top flight this season, or even score a goal, after a disappointing goalless draw against Newcastle United last weekend was followed up by a 2-0 defeat to Liverpool at the Emirates on Saturday.
When you are down on your luck it looks like things are going against you and Liverpool’s opener had nothing to do with the Reds as Arsenal defender Ignasi Miquel slammed the ball at team-mate Aaron Ramsey to then see it find its way in the goal.
That followed the sending off of Emmanuel Frimpong, who showed his inexperience at this level and exposed the lack of strength in depth in the Gunners squad. Now the pressure is building on Wenger, who has also had to deal with the loss of his skipper Cesc Fabregas, who completed his protracted move to Barcelona earlier in the week.
With Samir Nasri set to leave the Emirates before the end of the month, the Gunners boss will have to splash the cash to appease the club’s fans if he still wants to be in charge at the Emirates next season.
Another man who finds himself under pressure is Ireland rugby coach Declan Kidney, who saw his side suffer their third straight defeat ahead of the World Cup next month.
The Irish went down 22-26 to the French on Saturday to leave Kidney’s side with their confidence on the floor ahead of the major tournament, following another defeat to Les Bleus last weekend and a loss to Scotland in Edinburgh.
Things won’t get much easier for Kidney, as his side get set to host Six Nations champions England next weekend and questions have now been raised over Ireland’s preparations ahead of the World Cup.
Only a win will do against the English after this weekend’s latest defeat has placed unwanted pressure on Kidney and the Ireland (20/1 World Cup outright) squad.
In the 13-man form of the game, Wigan Warriors once again showed they are the side to beat in the Super League this season as they hope to defend their title. The Lancashire outfit thrashed the Bradford Bulls on Friday night with a superb second-half performance at the DW Stadium.
Sam Tomkins bagged himself another brace as the Warriors ran in 12 tries to put themselves in a strong position at the top of the table.
Wigan (1/4 Challenge Cup outright) are perfectly placed to do the double this season, as they continue to look strong in the Super League and have booked their place in the final of the Challenge Cup, where they will face Leeds Rhinos at Wembley.
Looking at the way they took apart the Bulls, it’s hard to see any side stopping the Warriors securing a famous double this term.
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