While perhaps not the most attractive of fixtures for the neutrals on Thursday night, Arsenal’s welcoming of Dundalk is a big deal for the Irish club.
Currently third in their league after 16 games, the Oriel Park side will arrive at the Emirates with all the intention of being a nuisance to Mikel Arteta and co., with their manager, Filippo Giovagnoli, leading from the sidelines.
The Italian, plucked out of obscurity by Dundalk, has taken them this far in the Europa League already, and while they aren’t in with a chance to win their league this time around, he’s still hoping to have a positive impact on the club.
The 49-year-old gave an interview to TuttoMercatoWeb ahead of the game on Thursday evening, where he explained how he came about being the Dundalk manager and gave an insight about the Irish Premier League.
He said: “It’s the most important match in terms of opponent, yes, but not in order of objectives. The Emirates is an important stage: we are in one of the most beautiful stadiums in the world and for world visibility, a game like this has no comparison with the others played in history so far.
“For our boys, it has a different value. There’s no point in hiding, and then the stadium: fantastic, an impressive atmosphere. Let’s say that with the people in the stands, it would have been shaking, but I only feel good emotions, positive things”.
For Giovagnoli, today is all about ‘visibility’ and showcasing what his players can do, promising: “We will do our best, also knowing what our seasonal goals are”.
