Football Bizness

Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger has urged fans to judge his side at season's end and not after every match when emotional is still running at Jets' speed. Still trying to survive the 3-2 whacks suffered in the hands of Stoke, the Gunners proceeded to Istanbul on Monday to save their faces following several disgraceful defeats this season. As the Gunners romance the sixth place on the league table, Wenger claims the constant insult and criticism from Arsenal fans isn't tearing him apart. Earlier on Saturday, the 65-year-old was subjected to disgusting insults and jeers as he and his team boarded a train back to London. 

Louis van Gaal says the United were only lucky to put Southampton into 2-1 misery in Monday's match at St. Mary. Gaal admitted the Saints had a balanced performance that clearly contrasted their visitors' loose play, which was only made up for by goalkeeper David de Gea's strong performance. He claimed his team played chicken on the ball, with the first goal a gift and the second a sheer dumb act on the part of Southampton's skipper. "Southampton were the better team, we were the lucky team," Van Gaal said. Van Persie corroborated his boss' claim that United was fortunate to earn the three points.

Pablo Zabaleta says Manchester City should be shown the league exit door should they lose to Roma in Italy. City, who swallowed four straight defeats before begging a 3-2 win off of Bayern Munich at Etihad Stadium, will face Serie A unbeaten Roma at the Italian capital. Having won their last five games, City will be at Stadio Olimpico on Wednesday to either bag a sixth win or earn a deserved elimination from "the Group of Death". Defender Zabaleta admits City has the players and confidence needed to whoop Roma's bum to red if they so want to, regardless that Rome has a very good team and tops second in the Italian league.

Former England striker and BBC Sport presenter Gary Lineker has criticised an Arsene Wenger-mocking video as disgusting and disrespectful. The video showed 65-year-old Arsene being booed by fans as he boarded a train, following his side’s 3-2 loss to Stoke on Saturday. Lineker tweeted the disrespect was totally inexcusable regardless of any loss. Wenger, whose side was whipped 3-0 by Stoke before making a return of two goals, was recently insulted by fans in a displayed banner; “Arsene, thanks for the memories but it’s time to say goodbye,” following Arsenal’s 1-0 win in West Brom. The Gunners are 13 points behind Premier league leader Chelsea.    

Manchester United striker Radamel Falcao is only fit to play for 20 minutes, declares boss Louis Van Gaal. The Colombian who'd just returned to the squad after a calf injury is pressed to play for his team owing to more injuries in the squad. Van Gaal expressed his disinterest in the striker's satisfaction with the substitute role, claiming he only needs match fitness. Gaal however confirmed that captain Wayne Rooney, who was sidelined in the 2-1 win against Stoke on Tuesday, would feature in Monday's night match against Southampton, while Falcao takes the bench. 28-year-old Falcao who missed most of last season's match due to injury has scored only one goal in seven appearances for Manchester United.

Lionel Messi caps 256 La Liga goals in 291 appearances following Barca's 5-1 defeat over Espanyol this weekend. Garcia's opening goal set the Barcelona in a slight frenzy that was contained with Messi's two successive goals in 45th- and 50th minutes respectively. Gerard Pique headed in the third at 53th minute and Pedro drowned the Espanyol side with a 77th minute fourth goal. Messi heightened their opponent's ill-luck with a 81th minute goal. The victory saw Barcelona climb to second place behind first-placed Real Madrid. Messi stays 2 goals behind Real Madrid rival Cristiano Ronaldo's 23rd La Liga goals.

David Moyes' confidence hit rocks with his Real Sociedad side 4-0 loss to Villareal on Sunday. The manager pocketed the first defeat after two successive goalless games. Bruno Soriano broke the net with a free-kick score and midfielder Denis Cheryshev doubled Moyes' hypertension with a second goal. Substitute Moi Gomez rubbed their visitors' faces in poop with two goals to seal a flawless win for his side. Sociedad's attempt to smuggle in two shots on target was redirected. The victory saw Villareal run to sixth place on La Liga table while Sociedad romances 14th.