Latest news with #JulioArca
Yahoo
23-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
'It's time to be back in the Premier League'
Former Sunderland midfielder Julio Arca says "it's time for the club to be back in the Premier League" as they prepare for the Championship play-off final against Sheffield United. The Black Cats play the Blades at Wembley on Saturday and Arca told BBC Radio Newcastle: "When the game arrives tomorrow, I think the players will feel that atmosphere. "That is going to be fantastic to see so many Sunderland fans there in the stadium supporting the team. There's thousands going today. Thousands going tomorrow." He added: "Hopefully it's a good day for the football club. It's been a while now so I think it's time for the club to get back to the Premier League and play against some of the biggest teams in the world." The Argentine spent six years at the Stadium of Light and helped guide the club back to England's top flight in 2005. He said: "I was lucky enough to win the Championship with Sunderland under Mick McCarthy and that was a fantastic season. That's when you realise how much it means for the people in Sunderland when you achieve a title. [Promotion] could mean a lot for the Sunderland fans." Arca is confident Regis Le Bris' side can get back to where many fans and pundits say they belong. "I believe they can do it," he said. "Yes, probably the last seven or eight games the team didn't play as well as the fans wanted to see but at the end of the day you have to get through every game. Yes, sometimes they've been lucky but you need that on your side as well. "I'm sure the team's got enough. There's some talented players there that can change games and I keep my fingers crossed that hopefully they do it and they're back in the Premier League." You can listen to more from Julio Arca on BBC Sounds.
BBC News
23-05-2025
- Sport
- BBC News
'It's time to be back in the Premier League'
Former Sunderland midfielder Julio Arca says "it's time for the club to be back in the Premier League" as they prepare for the Championship play-off final against Sheffield Black Cats play the Blades at Wembley on Saturday and Arca told BBC Radio Newcastle: "When the game arrives tomorrow, I think the players will feel that atmosphere. "That is going to be fantastic to see so many Sunderland fans there in the stadium supporting the team. There's thousands going today. Thousands going tomorrow." He added: "Hopefully it's a good day for the football club. It's been a while now so I think it's time for the club to get back to the Premier League and play against some of the biggest teams in the world."The Argentine spent six years at the Stadium of Light and helped guide the club back to England's top flight in said: "I was lucky enough to win the Championship with Sunderland under Mick McCarthy and that was a fantastic season. That's when you realise how much it means for the people in Sunderland when you achieve a title. [Promotion] could mean a lot for the Sunderland fans."Arca is confident Regis Le Bris' side can get back to where many fans and pundits say they belong."I believe they can do it," he said. "Yes, probably the last seven or eight games the team didn't play as well as the fans wanted to see but at the end of the day you have to get through every game. Yes, sometimes they've been lucky but you need that on your side as well. "I'm sure the team's got enough. There's some talented players there that can change games and I keep my fingers crossed that hopefully they do it and they're back in the Premier League."You can listen to more from Julio Arca on BBC Sounds.
BBC News
24-04-2025
- Sport
- BBC News
Arca believes in Le Bris' end of season approach
Former Sunderland midfielder Julio Arca says he "believes in" Regis Le Bris' divisive approach to the end of the Championship season. Having qualified for the play-offs earlier this month, other results going the Black Cats' way meant they officially secured fourth place on Monday despite the 1-0 loss to Blackburn Rovers. It has been widely expected for months that fourth would be Sunderland's finishing position in the league table having been there since November. As a result of his side's safe status, Le Bris has picked a rotated line-up managing the minutes of star players such as Jobe Bellingham, Chris Rigg, Enzo Le Fee, Dan Neil and Patrick with four losses and a draw in their last five games, some fans have grown disgruntled by poor performances and results. "If you look at the manager's side what he's trying to do is save players legs to try to keep everyone as fit as he can to try approach the most important part of the season which is the play-offs," Arca told BBC Radio Newcastle."I understand the fans point of view but I believe in what the manager is doing. Changing players around is for a reason. Obviously if that reason works out in the right way it's great but if not then there's the other side as well."It's a strange position to be in but at the same time obviously it's a good position. "That's the reason why it's good to understand what the manager is doing. We're here. We cannot go any higher. We're not going to go any lower. "We need to prepare in the right way for what's coming and that's the reason I believe he's doing what he's doing."You can listen to more from Julio Arca on BBC Sounds.
