Arsenal legend David O’Leary has now provided his insight into the current state of the Premier League title race.
Arsenal are currently in the heat of a Premier League tittle race.
As things stand, the Gunners are sat at the top of the table with five games left to play. However, the title race is not in the North London club’s hands, as Manchester City are just one point behind them and hold a game in hand. Liverpool are also still very much in the hunt.
In order to stand any chance of being crowned champions, Mikel Arteta’s side must surely win all of their remaining matches, starting with their clash against Chelsea this evening.
What Arsenal need to do against Chelsea
Arsenal will need to be at their best against the Blues. Whilst Chelsea have been inconsistent this season, they are still capable of posing a real threat.
Arteta also has some key selection decisions to make for this match, as he must weigh up the need to rest and rotate his players amid their hectic schedule with the requirement to earn three points. With the North London derby to come this weekend, the Spanish coach will need to ensure that his squad are fresh and ready for that fixture, but that he also has enough firepower on the pitch this evening to overcome Chelsea.
However, Arteta does not seem overly concerned about the prospect of fatigue impacting his Arsenal squad at this time, as he recently admitted that he halted a training session in order to prevent his players from over-exerting themselves due to their enthusiasm.
This game will also be a test of the Gunners’ mentality. They will know that this is a fantastic opportunity to heap pressure on Manchester City, but they are also dealing with their own pressure as they will know that a failure to win will almost certainly end their own title hopes.
Paul Merson already believes that Arsenal’s title hopes are dead and buried, but Arteta will know that with five games still to go, and with the standings so tight at the top, anything could still happen.
David O’Leary assesses Arsenal chances in Premier League title race
David O’Leary has now shared his assessment of the Premier League title race, as things stand. Speaking on talkSPORT (23/04/2024, 09:11), the Gunners’ all-time record appearance maker said, “what I have always felt was if you can finish above Man City and win the league, no disrespect to Liverpool, I think they are the standard-bearers.”
“I was disappointed when they went out of the Champions League after we went out. I was hoping they might stay in, there would be two extra games, two midweek games, and make it, not easier for us, but give us a better chance because they would be playing more games. But, now, they would be focused on, I would say the players they have, they have done it in the past, Pep is challenging them can they go and do the double? You are in the right place league-wise, can you go and finish it off? What we have got to do is stay in the game, don’t have any slip-ups, don’t disappoint yourself if you have lost the game and City slip up. That’s why we have got to win all our games and see what happens.”