Arteta expects Arsenal to end their winless run in Sunday’s clash with Chelsea, backed by the squad’s renewed hunger for a Premier League victory.
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta remains confident that his team can bounce back in Sunday’s pivotal clash against Chelsea, following a challenging run of games.
Despite going without a win in their last three Premier League matches and facing setbacks across competitions, Arteta believes his players’ determination could spark a turnaround at Stamford Bridge.
The Gunners, who were edged out by Inter Milan 1-0 in Wednesday’s Champions League encounter and narrowly defeated by Newcastle last weekend, are eager to return to winning form.
Although Arsenal had high hopes for a title challenge this season, a poor spell has left them trailing league leaders Liverpool by seven points.
Arteta, however, is confident that his players have the desire to overcome these recent struggles. “When you don’t win, it affects the mood and energy, but today I had a meeting with them. I sensed right away that they’re hungry and want to work hard. They’re a joy to work with,” Arteta told reporters on Friday.
Chelsea currently hold the fourth position, one spot above Arsenal in fifth. Another loss this weekend would dent Arsenal’s hopes of winning their first Premier League title since 2004.
The Gunners’ captain, Martin Odegaard, has been sidelined with an ankle injury since September, compounding Arsenal’s recent difficulties.
Despite only returning as a late substitute against Inter, Arteta hinted that Odegaard might start against Chelsea, saying, “Having Martin back is a big boost. He’s been incredibly important, and hopefully, he can impact the team.”
Additionally, Arsenal have been affected by recent suspensions for Declan Rice, William Saliba, and Leandro Trossard.
Arteta acknowledged the impact of these challenges but stressed that the solution to their struggles is within reach. “The problem is identifiable and resolvable,” he said, adding that he’s confident in the team’s overall improvement.
“Watching the Inter match back twice, I’ve never seen my team perform like that. The margins are small, but we’re performing ten times better than last season.”
Despite the setbacks, Arteta remains optimistic. “There’s nobody inside or outside this building who wants to win more than I do,” he remarked.
With Odegaard’s return and a hungry squad ready to push forward, Arteta believes Arsenal are well-positioned to claw back into contention.
Sunday’s clash at Stamford Bridge will be crucial for Arsenal, not only to secure points but also to regain their momentum and revive their hopes of staying in the title race.