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SUNDERLAND v MIDDLESBROUGH - ARCA BACKING KEANE TO KEEP SUNDERLAND UP
Julio Arca is backing Roy Keane to keep fomer club Sunderland in the Barclays Premier League.
The 27-year-old Middlesbrough midfielder, who made his name in English football at the Stadium of Light and still lives in the area, has watched from afar as the Irishman has attempted to restore the club's fortunes.
Arca will do his utmost on Saturday to ensure that it is Boro and not the Black Cats who emerge from the Wear-Tees derby with all three points to bring a end to their fears of being dragged into the thick of the fight against relegation.
However, while that could make life distinctly uncomfortable for Sunderland, he is convinced Keane will secure a second season in the top flight and the chance to consolidate for the future.
The Argentinian said: "Everything is different compared to when I was there.
"The club didn't have as much as they have now and they didn't have as many options as they have now.
"Money always helps, especially in football and he has done well - he will do even better if he keeps them in the Premier League.
"That was the main thing for the club, to stay in the Premier League this year no matter what position they finish in.
"If they get to that point, the job is done.
"I honestly think if you compare Sunderland with the teams above, they are one of the strongest.
"Yes, they maybe don't have easy games, but I think they should be okay to stay up.
"They have us, Bolton and Arsenal, so they should get something. But hopefully, we get the majority of the points on Saturday."
Arca's affection for Sunderland is understandable.
It was they who offered him the chance to test himself in the Premier League as a teenager when then manager Peter Reid paid Argentinos Juniors £3.5million for his services in August 2000.
The Wearsiders had just finished their first season back in the top flight in a more than creditable seventh place, and they were to match that achievement 12 months later, with the newcomer proving a huge hit.
However, it was then that things started to turn sour and after two more difficult campaigns, they plummeted back into the Football League to rekindle the depressing yo-yo nature of their recent history.
To his credit, Arca remained on board and helped the club regain its place in the big time, but when a second relegation opened the door during the summer of 2006, new Boro boss Gareth Southgate snapped him up for just £1.75million.
Arca said: "My first year, we finished seventh, only a couple of points away from qualifying for the UEFA Cup and it was a great season, especially for me in my first one.
"Over the years, things have changed, new managers, new players - everything has changed.
"The club is different now. They have plenty of support from the Irish consortium and plenty of options to get players as well.
"Hopefully if they stay up this year, they will have a good season again next year."
Both sides will head into the game with issues to address with Boro's 1-0 home defeat by Bolton just as depressing as Sunderland's 2-0 derby reverse at Newcastle.
But for Arca, who scored against the Black Cats in a 2-2 draw at the Riverside Stadium earlier in the season, there will be no divided loyalties, even in front of fans who fervently hope he could return one day.
He said: "They have to understand I am playing for Middlesbrough and whatever I do, I have to do well for Middlesbrough.
"It's nice to hear people saying that, but they have to understand that it is not as easy as people think it is.
"I have a contract here for another three years and I am happy here.
"I play lots here - the manager has fouond a new position for me - and I'm happy with the way people treat me, and that is one of the main reasons I feel comfortable here."
By Bettingzone.co.uk
Used with permission.
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