Arsenal tipped to emulate Chelsea as Mikel Arteta quotes surface – pundit
Arsenal can emulate Chelsea by rebuilding their faltering confidence with a morale-boosting big win over Southampton on Saturday (16 April), according to Noel Whelan.
The former Leeds striker, speaking exclusively to Football Insider, insisted the Gunners’ chances of Champions League qualification could hinge on this weekend’s game.
Arsenal have recorded back-to-back defeats against Crystal Palace and Brighton and have been leapfrogged by rivals Tottenham in the race for fourth place.
Chelsea travelled to Southampton last Saturday (9 April) having lost back-to-back games but bounced back with a 6-0 mauling of the Saints.
Whelan called for a “reaction” but insisted the trip to the south coast won’t be easy for Mikel Arteta’s side.
“Look, there’s got to be a reaction from Arsenal,” he told Football Insider‘s Ewan Kingsbury.
“They’re on the back of two defeats, and this will be a high-pressure game for them. But Chelsea were in the exact same situation, and they managed to win 6-0.
“It’s a massive game – and it could well define whether or not they get back into those Champions League spots.
“For me, Tottenham are the front-runners and Arsenal will have to pick themselves up here.
“It won’t be easy. I’m sure Ralph Hasenhuttl won’t have been happy with what was an embarrassing performance against Chelsea.”
As quoted by football.london (9 April), Arteta lamented his side’s “lack of ownership” – and called on his side to be more aggressive in order to take control of games.
Arsenal face Chelsea, Man United, and West Ham in three games after Saturday’s clash.
In other news, Arteta slammed by Arsenal idol as “big” Granit Xhaka problem addressed.