)
Arsenal host London rivals Chelsea as they look to maintain their spot at the top of the Premier League table to increase the possibility of lifting their first PL trophy since 2004.
However, things have not been all rosy for the Gunners in recent weeks, as they lost to Aston Villa at the Emirates before getting back on track with a win over Wolves.
Though it’s not entirely in their hands anymore, Arsenal can put pressure on defending champions City, by winning their remaining five matches while hoping for the Citizens to drop points before the end of the season.
Standing in their way are London rivals Chelsea, who gave them a lot of trouble in the reverse fixture earlier in this campaign. The Gunners had to come from a two-goal deficit to salvage a draw at Stamford Bridge. While the Blues have not had a solid campaign, they tend to turn up against the top sides and will look to dent Arsenal’s title charge.
Here are five things Arteta must to do against Chelsea to sustain the Gunners’ title challenge ambitions:
1. Exploit Chelsea's defensive frailties: Chelsea have been inconsistent defensively this season. The Blues have conceded 52 goals in 31 league matches so far, which is double the number of goals conceded by the Gunners so far (26). Arteta can instruct his wingers, like Bukayo Saka and Gabriel Martinelli, to target the space behind Chelsea's wing-backs and exploit any lapse in concentration from their central defenders, as a lot of teams have done so far this season.
)
2. Maintain Arsenal's strong pressing: Arsenal's high pressing has been a key factor in their success this season. Arteta needs to ensure his team continues to press aggressively high up the pitch to win the ball back early and disrupt Chelsea's rhythm. It was this pressing that helped the Gunners spark a comeback in the reverse fixture, as Declan Rice caught Robert Sanchez from far out after the goalkeeper misplaced a pass as a result of Arsenal’s high press.
)
3. Get Odegaard on the ball: Martin Odegaard has been in excellent form for Arsenal this season. Arteta should look to get him on the ball in dangerous areas as much as possible, where he can create chances for his teammates. The Norwegian is one of the best creators in Europe, and whenever he runs the show, the Arsenal team are on a different level.
)
4. Utilize home advantage: The match will be played at the Emirates Stadium. Arteta needs to ensure his team uses the home crowd to their advantage by starting the game with high intensity and creating a hostile atmosphere for Chelsea. Arsenal have failed to win their last two home matches, playing a 2-2 draw with Bayern Munich in the Champions League before a 2-0 loss to Aston Villa. Arteta must remind the team that they are playing on home soil, and must make it count.
5. Avoid silly errors at the back: Arsenal have the best defence in the league, but most of the goals they have conceded have come from self-inflicted errors. In the reverse fixture against Chelsea, the Gunners conceded via penalty from William Saliba’s handball and David Raya getting caught by Mykhailo Mudryk from way out. They must avoid these errors, as it will make them nervous or, worse yet, make them concede unnecessary goals that will make the job a more difficult one.
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)