Stuttering rivals feel the heat

IT’S a clash of the Premier League under-achievers tomorrow when Manchester City entertain Arsenal.

Any hope either club had of achieving the goals they set pre-season appear to have disappeared with barely a third of the campaign completed.

When City were taken over by their new mega-rich owners from Abu Dhabi, it was heralded as the dawn of a new, successful era.

But as the Blues languish in the bottom half of the table, it is clear considerable work lies ahead if they are ever to become a world power.

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has huge problems on and off the pitch as he prepares his side for the Eastlands showdown.

As well as being without Theo Walcott (shoulder) and Cesc Fabregas (suspended) this weekend, Wenger has had to deal with an outburst from captain William Gallas, who has suggested there are rifts within the dressing room.

Gallas has called Arsenal “not brave enough in battle” and has urged them to fight to revive a season that has already included four league defeats.

The 31–year–old also claims that some of his team–mates have approached him to complain about one member of the squad. Gallas would not reveal the player’s identity but revealed the team–mate to be six years younger than him.

“Then during the match you speak to this player and the player in question insults us,” said Gallas in an interview from France on BBC Online. “There comes a time where we can no longer comprehend how this can happen.”

Gallas also revealed a row at half–time during the 4–4 draw against rivals Tottenham when they conceded two goals at the death.

While Arsenal lie a respectable fourth place in the table, their hopes of challenging for the Premier League title are already all but over.

Yet they are capable of terrific performances as they showed when they beat Manchester United 2-1 at the Emirates Stadium, a game which saw French signing Samir Nasri score both Arsenal goals.

Arsenal could welcome back striker Emmanuel Adebayor from injury, but Robin van Persie is available again after serving a ban.

It has been a challenging start to Mark Hughes’ reign as City boss, although he appears to have the full backing of the club’s owners, who seem to be looking at the wider picture.

But as City hover dangerously close to the foot of the table — they are only a point clear of the bottom three — their league position has to be a cause for concern.

And with their next two league games at home to Arsenal and Manchester United, City could find themselves in the drop zone if they emerge empty-handed from those challenging fixtures.