Arsenal must avoid sliding down Premier League table - but Chelsea clash could be turgid affair | OneFootball

Both sides lacking in confidence and personnel up front heading into London derby

Your matchday briefing on Arsenal, featuring team news and expert analysis from Simon Collings

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With their title charge over, and a Champions League showdown against Real Madrid on the horizon, it would be easy for Arsenal to take their eye off the ball in the Premier League.

Indeed, Opta’s supercomputer has Liverpool winning the title in 99.5 per cent of the latest 10,000 season simulations.

Such a scenario could easily lead to Arsenal dropping off and they have already begun to stutter in recent weeks.

Mikel Arteta’s side have taken just two points from their last three games. Not since April 2023 have they gone four league matches without a win.

A London derby against Chelsea on Sunday should be more than enough to rouse them, especially as a win for the Blues - who are fifth - would see them close the gap to Arsenal to three points.

For Arteta, the idea of Arsenal sliding down the table is unthinkable, purely because of pride more than anything else.

“I prefer to finish first than second, second than third, third than fourth. And if you cannot be the best, be the second best at least. That’s for sure,” said Arteta.

“A lot [of teams are in the race for second]. There are still games to go. There’s still a lot of variation, a lot of games between us, a lot of difficult games. There’s a lot of teams still involved.”

Mikel Arteta has had to turn Mikel Merino as a striker option in recent weeks

Arsenal FC via Getty Images

There are similarities between Arsenal and Chelsea coming into Sunday’s game, with both sides having difficulties in attack due to injuries.

Chelsea, like Arsenal, are without a recognised striker and so Pedro Neto is likely to lead the line again. The Gunners will either turn to Leandro Trossard or Mikel Merino.

“They are trying to find solutions and we are trying to find solutions. Pedro since we started [using him in that role] is doing very well and we will see on Sunday if we use Pedro there or change something. We will see.

“As I said, all clubs during the season will have injuries so you need adapt, be flexible and find solutions.”

Neither situation is ideal for either club and it is why Sunday may at times descended into a turgid and tight game.

It should, certainly, be a far cry from the game between these two sides last season at Emirates Stadium - when Arsenal ran out 5-0 winners.

“I think it’s going to be a very different game,” said Arteta. “I think the way they develop as a team as well is very impressive.

“What they’ve done on the coaching staff, the amount of talent that they have in the squad. So yes, a really tough match but we had our best of luck, a big chance for us to win the game.

“I think from the moment I was playing pre-season and understanding how Enzo works and the talent that they have in the squad, in my opinion, they were contenders to even win it (the title) from the beginning because they have so much there.

“The moment everything glides together and they find that connection, energy and consistency, I think they can compete with any team.”

Chelsea, during their win over Copenhagen in the Europa Conference League on Thursday night, failed to manage a single shot on goal in the first half and Maresca will be hoping that Sunday is the day Cole Palmer ends his barren run.

Palmer has now gone 10 games without a goal, a remarkable run for a player of his quality.

“Our plan is to control the game but they will try to press high, be aggressive, and we will probably have more space to attack in behind,” said Maresca.