"Winning is the best formula" – Arteta targets another restorative victory against improved Chelsea
11/08/2024 07:40 PM
Given Arsenal’s recent form, an away trip to Chelsea doesn't look especially inviting although recent clashes against the Blues have served as timely turning points in moments of soul-searching.
Most notably, Mikel Arteta got his managerial tenure back on track with a 3-0 win over Frank Lampard's side on Boxing Day 2020. Later, a surprise 4-2 victory at Stamford Bridge in April 2022 provided a similar boost.
In fact, Arsenal have become something of a bogey team for Chelsea under Arteta. While the Blues edged out a late win in their first meeting in December 2019, they’ve only managed to beat us once in 10 games since – a 2-0 result three seasons ago.
“There’s been a few [good moments],” said Arteta on Friday. “One of those, it was in a difficult moment when Emile Smith Rowe came in and I think he changed something, I don’t know what it is, momentum, energy, belief but that was a key one.
“We had some away games as well that have been very, very nice, especially with our supporters there and the connection that generates, that belief, it was a moment where we really needed to win to stay at the level, we sustained that pressure. Yeah, there have been some nice moments.”
He added: “It’s true that in one against [Thomas] Tuchel’s team we were lucky enough to win it, we didn’t do enough in the game to actually win it but we actually won it.
“I really like how I see the boys today and how we’re going into that game really believing that we can win it and make it happen.”
As things stand, the two sides are level on points in the Premier League with Enzo Maresca quick to build on the progress made by successor Mauricio Pochettino in the second half of last season.
“Really impressed about what [Maresca's] done but what they've done over a year because with Mauricio [Pocchetino] the last six months were extraordinary,” noted Arteta.
“You could see the squad, the quality they have, the amount of players they have and then Enzo has given his touch and you can see clearly what he wants to do.
“I think he's been really brave from day one to consistently follow what he wanted to do. I know how he thinks, I know a lot of people that know him well and are very happy that he is making a lot of progress there.”
It remains to be seen whether Cole Palmer, Chelsea’s main attacking threat, is available for the match. The England international missed the Blues’ 1-1 draw with Manchester United and wasn’t part of the squad that smashed eight goals past a Conference League side whose name I can’t even be bothered to look up.
If Palmer does make it onto the teamsheet, which is looking increasingly likely, does Arteta have a plan to stop him.
“That's a question that probably all the managers in the league have had in the last year or so and he's still managed to impact games in the right way,” said the boss.
“Obviously we will have a plan, not only for Cole, but to minimise all the quality and threats that they have and try to exploit their weaknesses, like any other team.”
While the broken cannons have returned to the back of the sports pages following the surprise exit of Sporting Director Edu and consecutive defeats to Newcastle and Inter Milan, there has been a glimmer of good news – the return to fitness of Martin Odegaard.
The hope is the Norway international can find his groove quickly after a prolonged spell on the sidelines. Can he alone fix an ailing attack that has been struggling to find the net from open play?
“We are demanding that but it's not very realistic,” said Arteta.
“It's about the collective, every player taking ownership with what we have to do in attack and doing it better and more consistently. But certainly, having a player like Martin helps because he's shown how important he's been for us in the last three or four years.
“We hope he's going to help because he's been incredibly good for us and the impact he has on the team, not only in that phase, but in other phases that are also linked to the attacking phase, especially the way we transfer from one to other. He's been out for a while as well, so let's hope that it's going to be very fast and that he can impact the team.”
One thing is clear, Arsenal need a league win not only to change the mood music but to stay in the title hunt. At this point, it doesn’t need to be stylish or emphatic, we just need the points.
“Winning is the best formula for everything,” said Arteta. “For energy, for belief, for confidence, for the noise inside, the noise outside, to create momentum, generate a positive surrounding, it helps for everything, even if you don’t deserve it.”
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