• Premier League

Pardew: Pressure on Arsenal to perform

ESPN staff
May 17, 2013

Alan Pardew believes Arsene Wenger is under "enormous pressure" to secure a win against his Newcastle side on Sunday.

Arsenal are fighting desperately to secure a Champions League spot at the expense of North London rivals Tottenham Hotspur and know a victory at St James' Park will secure them fourth place.

With Wenger and Pardew having previously undergone a public falling out on the touchline when Pardew was manager of West Ham United, the Magpies boss is keen to end his season on a high after a turbulent few months on Tyneside.

"It's a huge game for Arsenal. It's very important for them," Pardew told the Evening Chronicle. "They need to win, and they'll have that mentality. They'll carry a threat, and we've got to deal with that. Everyone knows how important Champions League football is to them.

"One team is going to be under enormous pressure. We're not under that pressure, but we want to put a performance in and upset the odds. That's what we want to do."

Keen to allow to Steve Harper to end his 20-year association with the club victorious, Pardew intends to name his strongest side, which will likely include midfielder Sylvain Marveaux.

The 27-year-old has missed the last few weeks through injury, but Pardew feels the clash against the Gunners could be the ideal scenario for the former Rennes midfielder to return.

"We've missed Sylvain," Pardew said. "The fact that he's back is great news. He could be important for us. We didn't need him last week, but this could be a different scenario. He'll certainly play a part."

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