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Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has claimed that Chelsea have the “strongest team in the Premier League” ahead of the Boxing Day meeting of London clubs, which begins a week that, according to the Gunners boss, will define your season.
Arsenal beat Chelsea in the FA Cup final in August at Wembley, but the two clubs have endured very contrasting fortunes since then.
While the Blues have spent over £ 220 million on the summer transfer market and rank just outside the Champions League spots after 14 games, Arteta’s men are just four points above the zone of relegation after losing eight times, including four of their last five leagues. matches.
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Arsenal will be without their biggest summer signing, Thomas Partey, and club captain Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang has doubts with a calf problem. Chelsea lose Hakim Ziyech due to a hamstring injury and Ben Chilwell is a doubt for a bruised ankle, but their other four acquisitions, Timo Werner, Kai Havertz, Thiago Silva, Edouard Mendy, are in good shape. .
“Obviously Chelsea always have a great squad of great players,” said Arteta. “The team we faced a few months ago was one of the best.
“Right now, you’re probably talking about the strongest team in the Premier League. They’re doing a really good job, Frank. [Lampard] he’s doing a very good job. They have a team full of faith and confidence, and although they had some losses, they won again on Monday. [beating West Ham 3-0] and it is a team that is going to be fighting for the top spot in the league for sure.
“I would not like to compare [them with Arsenal]. What they did seems to be working well and we are not there at the moment. “
Arteta is under increasing pressure after Arsenal’s worst start to the season since 1974. The 38-year-old retains the support of the club’s leading figures and faith in his long-term vision remains, but results must improve with travel to the threat of descent. Brighton and West Brom on either side of New Years Day.
“The next seven to eight days will be crucial to see where we are headed in the Premier League,” Arteta said. “The best medicine when you are in this situation is to win a soccer game. Every loss is another painful moment, another moment of disappointment, another moment when you have to get up and that’s what we have to do.
“I think the medicine for all of us would be to come here against Chelsea, beat them and then move from there. It’s exactly what we all need.”
