JOE MONTEMURRO has warned Arsenal cannot take their remaining games lightly as their fight for a Champions League spot heats up.
And the Gunners are looking to turn the tables on Man United when the teams go head-to-head.
Montemurro, 51, was speaking ahead of Arsenal’s clash on home turf with Casey Stoney’s Manchester outfit.
The last encounter between the opponents ended in a 1-0 win for United with Montemurro describing the performance of his side as “poor”.
And the Arsenal chief is wary of being on the wrong end of a shock loss with tricky duels with Brighton and Everton to come.
Montemurro said: “This run is not just hinged on this game. There are a lot of games still to play and a lot of teams that could potentially unlock us.
“That’s why my focus has been to make sure that if any team is going to beat us, it’s going to be teams that are at our level or fighting with us.
“Sustainability and consistency in a league that is so short is critical and crucial.
“I don’t know if it’s revenge but there is a real positivity at the moment.
“Last time (against United) we knew we let ourselves down, technically and tactically, silly errors and mistakes in a game that we should have come away with something.
“We know we let ourselves down and the club down that day.
“Now being at Borehamwood we want to make sure we keep it as a fortress and we keep winning games there.”
The Red Devils are third and six points ahead of the North London giants who have a game in hand.
And Casey Stoney, who has contended with injuries to several players, has been boosted by the return of defender Kirsty Smith and striker Lauren James.
But the team will be without the services of Brazil starlet Ivana Fuso, 20, who damaged her ankle in a freak accident.
Stoney, 38, said: “When she went down on Tuesday, I had my head in my hands,
“I just couldn’t believe it. One player slipped, bumped into her and she rolled her ankle.
“For her on a personal level, it has been so difficult. Let’s not forget, she’s not English speaking, she’s away from home in COVID times and can’t go home
“She has been out the entire season with three different injuries, but Ivana is a fantastic young player with a great mentality.
“We’ll work hard with her during this time to make sure that we give her every opportunity to be in the best position for Olympics selection for Brazil.”
Stoney, whose side will play at Old Trafford for the first time next month, hopes to make history by securing a Women’s Champions League spot with the team.
Should they finish inside the WSL’s top 3 the Red Devils will compete in Europe’s elite football club competition for the first time in their existence.
And Stoney said she would consider it a “failure” for her personally if her side were to miss out on a place in the contest.
Stoney added: “For me as a head coach, I would see that as a failure.
“But I would never say my players fail because they give 100% effort all the time.”
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Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
