Arsenal need to get back on track when they take on Chelsea on Sunday.
The Gunners’ Premier League title hopes were dealt a hefty blow when they slumped to a 1-0 defeat against Newcastle United last time out in the competition.
Since then, Mikel Arteta’s side have been beaten in the Champions League, as they were overcome by Inter Milan on Wednesday evening.
Both of these losses came on the road. Thierry Henry has feared for Arsenal when playing away from home for some time, and the club will once again have to travel this weekend to face the Blues at Stamford Bridge.
Henry also warned that defeat against Chelsea would destroy Arsenal’s title hopes.
Jurrien Timber makes vow to Arsenal fans ahead of Chelsea clash
Arteta and his players will all recognise the significance of this West London fixture.
Jurrien Timber certainly understands the importance of finding a way to win against Chelsea.
Speaking to TNT Sports in the wake of the loss against Inter Milan, the Dutch defender delivered a powerful message.
Timber said: “We have to come back strong on Sunday… We defended really well today, and we attacked also really well, but the luck was not on our side today. We’re going to look for that luck on Sunday.
“I just have a lot of faith in my team, I think we have a lot of quality players, the fans are behind us. It’s just belief. Belief in ourselves. We can turn this around. We have to show it on Sunday, show it on the pitch, and we will do that.”
Arteta could find that he comes under significant pressure if his side drop points against Chelsea, as such an outcome would leave Arsenal’s Premier League title dream in tatters with barely a quarter of the campaign gone.
Mikel Arteta must correct Inter Milan mistake vs Chelsea
If Arsenal are to successfully turn around their form against the Blues, then Arteta must makes changes, both in terms of his tactics and team selection.
That process has to begin with recognising what went wrong against Inter Milan.
Arteta defended Arsenal’s performance against Inter Milan, but the truth is that his side were toothless in attack.
The Spanish coach must give his forwards freedom to take the handbrake off against Chelsea. He also needs to take the misfiring Leandro Trossard out of the starting lineup.
Ethan Nwaneri added a spark for Arsenal vs Inter Milan, and the manager would be wise to afford the Hale End wonderkid more significant game time on Sunday. Not only can the teenager make an impact, but this move would also indicate to the rest of the Arsenal squad that the shackles are off.
Receive a digest of our best Arsenal content each week direct to your mailbox
