Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal are currently enduring a difficult run of form, having failed to build on their strong start to the season. Despite their struggles, Arteta remains positive and focused as Arsenal prepares for a crucial Premier League clash with Chelsea.
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The Gunners have been unable to find the back of the net in their recent losses to Bournemouth, Newcastle, and Inter Milan, which has seen them lose ground in the title race.
Ahead of the must-win match against Chelsea, Arteta’s mood remains upbeat. In an interview with Sky Sports, former Arsenal star Paul Merson shared that Arteta is feeling “very relaxed, very focused, and very positive” despite the tough patch.
Merson also pointed out that Arteta was pleased with his team’s performance against Inter Milan, noting that while Arsenal failed to score, they played well, creating several chances.
Arteta himself remains confident in his side, even though they have struggled to score in recent games. He emphasized that Inter Milan is a strong team, noting that they could have won the Champions League in recent seasons.
“We ran them ragged but just couldn’t get the goal,” Arteta said, remaining optimistic that the team is on the right track, even if the results haven’t reflected their performances.
Adding to the team’s optimism, Martin Ødegaard’s return from an ankle injury, which sidelined him for 12 games, is seen as a crucial boost. Arteta is hopeful that the Norwegian playmaker can help spark the Gunners’ attacking play moving forward.
Declan Rice, who missed the midweek defeat to Inter due to a toe injury, is also eager to return to action. Speaking to Arsenal.com, Rice stressed the importance of the upcoming London derby against Chelsea.
He noted that every time Arsenal plays a London rival, it’s a special occasion, and the team is determined to do better after their recent poor results.
“We know what we can do, and we can get three points. It’s all about doing it on the day,” Rice said, highlighting that Arsenal’s confidence in their abilities remains intact.
With Chelsea being a strong team, Rice acknowledged that Arsenal would need to earn the win, but he expressed confidence that the team would be ready for the challenge.
Arteta’s positivity, alongside the optimism of key players like Ødegaard and Rice, is vital for Arsenal as they look to get their season back on track with a big win over Chelsea. Despite their recent struggles, Arteta and his squad are determined to turn things around and push for the title.
