Crystal Palace boss Patrick Vieira is looking forward to an emotional return to Arsenal as he prepares to face his old club for the first time in his managerial career.Vieira heads to the Emirates Stadium on Monday for an occasion that will stir countless memories for the former Arsenal and France star.The 45-year-old won three Premier League titles and four FA Cups with Arsenal, captaining them through their unbeaten “Invincible” top-flight season in 2003/04.Klopp: Newcastle is a one-club-Super-League, they have a guaranteed dominant role in European footballHe played around 400 games for the Gunners after joining from AC Milan in 1996 – proving one of Arsene Wenger’s most astute signings.”I am really looking forward to it,” Vieira said. “I had the chance to play for this football club for nine years. I arrived at this football club when I was a kid and I left as a man.”That is the club where I played my best football, I would say. So obviously going back there will be emotional, but I will put that on the side because it will be important for us to perform well and to get points.”Vieira eventually left for Juventus in 2005, but his contribution to Arsenal’s glory days guarantees him a rousing reception from Gunners fans on Monday.Sterling interested in playing abroad, and that’s music to Barca’s earsAsked whether it will be difficult to keep his emotions in check, Vieira said: “I will answer that question after the game.”Nine years is quite a long period of time. In that period we were successful and I was really pleased to be part of a generation of players who make history for this football club.”Going back there will be emotional, yes, but the focus and the concentration will be how can we perform well to have more chance of getting what we want.”Arsenal have not won the Premier League since Vieira left north London and have been mired in mediocrity for several years.”That’s a question to really ask people who have been inside this football club,” Vieira said of Arsenal’s malaise.”I don’t want to get into details because it’s difficult to talk about when you don’t have all the information.”Manchester United manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer says he will not be pressured into playing Cristiano Ronaldo if he believes the Portugal star should be left out.Solskjaer caused a storm when he started with Ronaldo on the bench for United’s 1-1 draw against Everton in the last match before the international break.PSG’s Champions League usurper on Arsenal’s radarThe 36-year-old was eventually introduced as a second-half substitute but United still dropped vital points.The surprise snub left Ronaldo looking grumpy as he shook his head and muttered to himself while walking off the pitch at full-time.Former United manager Alex Ferguson added his voice to the criticism of Solskjaer’s decision when he said “you should always start with your best players”.Solskjaer was quick to highlight Ronaldo’s qualities when asked about the forward on Friday.High-school quarrel on a higher level – Man Utd best mates Evra and Vidic refused to talk for three monthsBut the Norwegian is adamant he has no qualms about leaving out Ronaldo if that is the right decision for the team.”I’m the manager, I manage the players. I manage for the club but, of course it’s nice to have him on the pitch because he’ll always come up with the goods and the more we have him on the pitch, the better,” Solskjaer said.”He’s an exceptional player, exceptional finisher, and a goalscorer, and an exceptional professional. It’s hard to leave him out.”With five goals in six games since his blockbuster return to United from Juventus in August, Ronaldo has quickly established himself as a key figure as they chase the club’s first trophy since 2017.Even though they are at the Premier League summit, Chelsea can’t wait for Kante to returnSolskjaer was also questioned when he took Ronaldo off in United’s Champions League defeat at Young Boys in September.He said his decisions were aimed at avoiding burnout as United juggle commitments in the Premier League, Champions League and FA Cup.”You can go play six games in six days and play the same XI every time, it’d be great. But it’s rotation,” Solskjaer said ahead of Saturday’s trip to Leicester.”We need to get to April and May with everyone firing. Last season we got to May and we were a little bit too tired.”PREMIER LEAGUE – ROUND 8Saturday14:30: (9.00) Watford (4.90) Liverpool (1.40)17:00: (2.50) Aston Villa (3.20) Wolverhampton (3.15)17:00: (3.60) Norwich (3.25) Brighton (2.25)17:00: (1.15) Man.City (9.00) Burnley (22.0)17:00: (2.40) Southampton (3.40) Leeds (3.15)17:00: (3.45) Leicester (3.50) Man.Utd. (2.20)19:30: (6.25) Brentford (3.80) Chelsea (1.65)Sunday16:00: (2.65) Everton (3.30) West Ham (2.90)18:30: (3.60) Newcastle (3.50) Tottenham (2.15)Monday22:00: (1.70) Arsenal (3.80) Crystal Palace (5.70)
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