Yahoo Finance Dundalk's Sean Murray on not fearing Arsenal, being Europa League underdogs and playing with Hector Bellerin
Dundalk midfielder Sean Murray believes his side’s match with St Patrick’s Athletic this weekend is in many respects bigger than their game against Arsenal on Thursday.
The underdogs from Ireland are taking on the Gunners at Emirates Stadium tomorrow as they look to continue their remarkable run in this season’s Europa League.
Dundalk have successfully negotiated the qualifying rounds and last week narrowly lost to Molde, but on Thursday they take on Arsenal.
Such a match is naturally a huge moment for many of the squad, who have not had the opportunity to play against such an opposition or at a ground like Emirates Stadium.
But Murray believes Sunday’s League of Ireland Premier Division match against St Patrick’s Athletic could actually be even bigger as Dundalk, who currently sit third, can’t drop points if they want to qualify for Europe next season.
“In many respects yes [the weekend is bigger], because a lot of us want to carry on playing European football and if we drop points in the league it might not be an option,” he said.
“So we need to give everything tomorrow night, but again think about Sunday as well.
“I think the best thing we can do this year is give a good account of ourselves in Europe. We have got a massive game again on Sunday [against St Patrick’s], where we have to get third place to get European football as well.
“So, as much as this is a massive game, there’s a massive game on Sunday as well – and then again next Thursday as well. There’s a lot of big games coming up.”
Murray has experience of playing in England after coming through the ranks at Watford before having spells at Wigan Athletic, Swindon Town and Colchester United.
It was at Watford, though, where he enjoyed his best time in England and part of that included a stint playing alongside Arsenal full-back Hector Bellerin – who spent time on loan at Vicarage Road.
“I did play a year with Hector Bellerin. This is when he was coming through,” Murray said.
“He was a great player, great guy, so I am happy to see how well his career has gone on.
“He was good. He just did the simple things very well. I think he was maybe 17, 18 when he came to us.
“We were playing in the Championship at the time and he adapted to the game so well. Credit to him.”
During his time at Watford, Murray came up against some of the Premier League’s top sides and he is hoping to draw upon that ahead of Thursday’s trip to Emirates Stadium.
“I think there is one memorable game where we were 2-0 up against Man City at the Etihad,” said the 27-year-old.
“We came in at half-time 2-0 up and I think we just went into that game with no fear. We knew we had nothing to lose at the time and I think we have to do the same tomorrow. It will give us the best opportunity.”
Dundalk manager Filippo Giovagnoli is under no illusions about the size of his side’s task though and said: “There is a big difference.
“It is quite obvious that there is a heavyweight boxer against a super-lightweight so we will just have to try and make them run and uncomfortable a little bit.
“Everything in this game is obvious – the difference, the quality – so let’s make the passion something maybe bigger in our side.”
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