Arsenal fans told Liverpool and West Ham draws ‘may work in favour’

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta reviews the West Ham game

Micah Richards believes Arsenal’s recent draws against Liverpool and West Ham ‘may work in the Gunners’ favour’ heading into their crunch clash with Manchester City next week. Arsenal dropping points means that City could leapfrog them in the table if they beat the league leaders at the Etihad.

But Richards says this should help motivate Arsenal as there is ‘no grey area’ surrounding the match. The north London side must at least scrape a draw to stay on top.

“Arsenal fans will not see things this way but what has happened over the last seven days has the potential to work in their team’s favour,” said Richards in a column piece for the Daily Mail. “Put simply, there is now no grey area around next week’s trip to Manchester — they have to get a result.

“Few sides in Premier League history, involved in a title race at this stage of a season, would have given up two points at West Ham, having led 2-0. However, it would be crazy if Mikel Arteta’s squad suddenly allowed doubts to consume them after all the outstanding progress, they have made this season.

“Nothing has been decided and they absolutely have the ability to go to the Etihad on April 26 and come away with at least a point. It will be the game of the season; I’m convinced of it. There is no room for error for either side and I expect it will lead to fireworks.”

Arsenal have been in sensational form this season and are deserved league leaders at this stage of the campaign, but cracks have begun to show in recent matches. Mikel Arteta’s men threw away a pair of 2-0 leads against Liverpool and West Ham and are now only four points clear of City who have a game in hand.

Don’t miss…
Arsenal learn chances of signing Kante as agents explain next move[LATEST]
Liverpool closing in on two signings after giving up on Bellingham[LATEST]
Richarlison has cost Tottenham more per goal than top Arsenal signing[LATEST]

Part of the team’s success has been in their resilience and togetherness, but heads visibly dropped after Jarod Bowen’s equaliser at London Stadium. Arteta wants his players to focus for the full 90 minutes and affirms that they have been “too comfortable” as of late.

“When a team is there [for the taking], you have to take that opportunity,” Arteta said. “We gave them hope. Every single game, you really have to be at your best [for the whole game], you have to really earn it. Every team is fighting for what they want, 30 minutes [of playing well] is not enough.”

Source: Read Full Article