Die Macht » rivals claiming the title.Its too big a

WELLINGTON, New Zealand -- Second-ranked Serena Williams will begin her 2017 season and Australian Open buildup at the ASB Classic in Auckland, New Zealand, organizers confirmed Tuesday.The 22-time Grand Slam singles winner had already announced that she would miss the Hopman Cup mixed teams tournament in Perth, which has often been a key part of her lead-up to the first Grand Slam of the season.Williams held the top singles ranking for 186 weeks, until the American was recently overtaken by Angelique Kerber. Williams sister, Venus, has played the Auckland tournament for the past three years and won the singles title in 2015.In a statement, Serena Williams said the ASB Classic can really set you up for a great run in Melbourne, and I will be looking to start my year strongly in Auckland.Earlier this week, the world No. 2 withdrew from the Wuhan Open and China Open, the two biggest events left on the WTA schedule before the WTA Finals in late October, citing a shoulder injury that plagued her during the Rio Olympics and the US Open.Williams is scheduled to play the year-end championships in Singapore, an event she has won five times.Information from ESPNs Matt Wilansky was used in this report.Custom Oakland Athletics Nike Jerseys . -- Peyton Manning will have all of his wide receivers available for the first time in a month when the Denver Broncos begin their playoff run Jan. Custom Washington Nationals Nike Jerseys . -- Eastern Kentucky thrives off creating havoc for others. https://www.custombaseballnikejerseys.com/ . That gave fans outside Joe Louis Arena another chance to ask for autographs from the 19-year-old whose stardom in the NHL has arrived earlier than most expected. Custom Baltimore Orioles Nike Jerseys . This should be celebrated because it will not always be this way. With the amount of money given to players by their clubs these days, it is a wonder that so many of those teams allow the sport to continue to take away many of their assets so they can play for a different team in the middle of their season. Custom Pittsburgh Pirates Nike Jerseys . -- When the Florida Panthers fell behind by two goals in the first period to the top team in the NHL, it appeared they were on their way to yet another loss.Sky Sports News HQs Rob Dorsett is in Barcelona ahead of Arsenals Champions League clash and has been speaking with Gunners fans about the future of manager Arsene Wenger.Ask any Arsenal fan here for the game at the Nou Camp, and the same pained expression comes across their face. It hurts them to even think about it. But, with Arsenal facing another last-16 exit from the Champions League, just three days after being knocked out of the FA Cup at home to Watford, theyll tell you the situation is becoming critical.Its the main topic among the travelling groups, in every tapas restaurant and bar along Los Ramblas - and they are divided almost 50-50. Arsenal supporters are realistic about beating Barcelona in the Champions League last 16 second-leg tie The man is an Arsenal man, says one fan. A legend. It should be his choice when he goes. I can see him walking, I honestly can. I cant say a word against him, but there has to be change. We are just going nowhere. We just arent good enough to compete with the likes of Barcelona - one Champions League semi-final in 10 years tells its own story.Its all weve heard among Arsenal fans over here. Its been the only topic of conversation. I will never go on telly and call for him to go. Im 28, and Wenger is all Ive ever known. He is Mr Arsenal. But we are now at a stage where enough is enough. Sometimes change isnt a bad thing. Wengers Arsenal have won the FA Cup for the last two seasons - but crashed out at home to Watford last weekend Its horrible seeing the in-fighting among Arsenal fans right now. He should go. But I hate seeing that banner, the one that says Thanks for the memories, Arsene as the fans row between themselves, and some fight to take it down. We have to get behind the team, and save the arguments until the end of the season.Every Arsenal fan seems to share the sentiment about what Wenger has done for their club, and for English football, over the past two decades. But at least half of the fans Ive spoken to - and maybe more than half - think that its time for a change. Some Arsenal fans held up a banner calling for Arsene Wenger during Arsenals FA Cup win at Hull Its time for him to step down, says another fan I spoke to.dddddddddddd He shouldve done it at end of last season, because now hes starting to become something of a villain for the fans and thats very hard to take, seeing a man whos done so much for the club becoming hated by so many.Hes our greatest ever manager, we can never repay him for what hes done. But there has to come a time when he has to move on, and that time is now. Its overdue.Hes always going to be a legend at our club for what hes done, but I just think its time for a fresh face, fresh ideas. Wenger has had the same ideas for years. That was fair enough when we were paying off the stadium debt. He managed the club very well in that time. But I find it hard to believe there arent better players out there we couldve bought since then. Can Arsenal salvage season? Former Arsenal striker Alan Smith surveys the scene at the Emirates Not one Arsenal fan Ive spoken to believes they can overturn a 2-0 deficit in the Nou Camp. Though a few believe they can get a result that can rejuvenate the squad (and re-engage the fans) for the games that remain this season.We need a bit of passion. Its too late this time. But Im a football fan and an Arsenal fan. Theyre the best team in the world. Their front three is unbelievable in Messi, Neymar and Suarez. Its done now, as a contest. I just hope we give a good account of ourselves.Ive been to Munich and Monaco when weve been two goals behind, and weve gone close. If we get an early goal, you never know. Arsenal fans would prefer Leicester to win the Premier League rather than see Tottenham crowned champions Leicesters victory over Newcastle opened up a five-point gap to second-placed Tottenham in the Premier League title race, and an 11-point gap to Arsenal. No-one Ive met here in Barcelona thinks Arsenal can catch Leicester - but all of them are united in their support of the Foxes - just so long as it prevents their north London rivals claiming the title.Its too big a gap for us now, and we just arent in any sort of form to put a run together, says one. It would be great to see Leicester win it - a great story. Just so long as its not our noisy neighbours down the road! We will all be backing Leicester now.But I think Spurs will win it. And that kills me to say, but I think theyve got the easier run in. Of course Id rather see Leicester win it rather than Spurs, every day of the week. Itd be the first time in my lifetime that theyve finished above us, and it would be unbearable.Im quite enjoying seeing Chelsea and Man City below us, after all the millions theyve spent, but it hurts to see Spurs above us. Obviously Id rather see Leicester win the League rather than them. Wed never hear the end of it otherwise.Also See:Defiant Wenger defends recordKoscielny boost for ArsenalEnrique salute for WengerBarcelona v Arsenal preview ' ' '