As his team faces the prospect of falling 12 points behind table-topper Chelsea, Arsene Wenger has described Arsenal’s visit to the Premier League leader as a “must-win.”
Arsenal’s chances of a first title in 13 years suffered a major blow Tuesday when going down 2-1 to Watford to fall nine points behind the pace-setters with 15 games remaining. And, as a result, the Arsenal boss was in no doubt that a meeting with his side’s London foe is now even more crucial.
“Look, for me, it was always [a must-win game],” Wenger told Arsenal’s website. “But I think what is important is that I can say it is a must-win game but for us what is important is to respond in a very strong, united way, straight away after what happened on Tuesday night.”
He added: “We can’t focus too much on the consequences of the game. Do we win? Do we lose? Football is like that, you can win or lose but make absolutely sure you put every ingredient in to win the game. We have shown that we can beat them in the first game, so let’s just do it again.”
Wenger, who described the mood within his squad as “very down and frustrated” after the loss to Watford, will again be unable to influence matters from the sidelines Saturday as he continues his four-match touchline ban.
He will also be without Aaron Ramsey after the Welsh midfielder suffered a calf injury against Watford that was set to keep him sidelined for around three weeks. The midfield will be further depleted by the continued absence through injury of Santi Cazorla and the suspended Granit Xhaka. Olivier Giroud could, though, be available after picking up a knock.
Arsenal has not won at Stamford Bridge since 2011, but it can count upon an emphatic 3-0 win when the two teams met at the Emirates Stadium last September. But, paradoxically, it ended up being the result that spurred Chelsea’s — and not Arsenal’s — title surge.
Antonio Conte, the manager of Chelsea, reacts during the Premier League match between Hull City and Chelsea at KCOM Stadium, Oct. 1, 2016 in Hull, England. On right, Arsene Wenger, the manager of Arsenal, reacts during the EFL Cup fourth round match between Arsenal and Reading at Emirates Stadium, Oct. 25, 2016 in London. Photo: Getty Images
It was when 3-0 down at half time at the Emirates that Chelsea manager Antonio Conte switched to the 3-4-3 system that propelled the team to a run of 12 successive Premier League victories. Indeed, Chelsea has dropped just five points since then and now has a nine-point edge over both second-placed Tottenham and third-placed Arsenal to assume the role of odds-on title favorites.
Conte, though, was keen to insist that his players not take their eye off the ball.
“If someone thinks the league is finished, I’m not so sure,” he said in his pre-match press conference. “I want to have this right tension. In the past, I fought to win the title, and I know we must pay great attention.”
He continued: “There are 15 games to play and there are a lot of great teams behind us. It is important to keep the antenna very high! I have a bit of experience in football as a player and manager. I want to keep our concentration very high. Me, my players, the club, the fans. Anything can happen, above all if we don’t show great concentration.”
Conte was further boosted by having a full squad available for the visit of Arsenal.
Prediction: For Arsenal, the match against Watford was a case of the same-old story and is why there is little chance of the club ending its long title drought this season. Chelsea, in contrast, has shown flexibility and impressive mental stability since that defeat to Arsenal to go on a relentless run of form. With Arsenal depleted in central midfield, Chelsea should be able to control the game in the middle of the pitch and get a win that should be decisive, if not for Chelsea’s title prospects, then for Arsenal’s.
Predicted Score: Chelsea 2-0 Arsenal
Kickoff Time: 7:30 p.m. EST
TV Channel: NBCSN
Live Stream: NBC Sports Live Extra
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