November 9th 2024.
Mikel Arteta's Arsenal team has been going through a rough patch lately, but the manager himself seems to be taking it all in stride. Ahead of their crucial Premier League match against Chelsea on Sunday, Arteta is feeling calm and optimistic, as reported by Paul Merson. The Gunners had a strong start to the season, but have struggled to maintain their momentum and can't afford to fall further behind in the title race.
In recent matches, Arsenal has had trouble finding the back of the net, as seen in their losses to Bournemouth, Newcastle, and Inter. However, the return of Martin Odegaard, who has been out for 12 games due to an ankle injury, is a welcome boost for the team. Despite this, Arteta remains confident that his team is on the right track, with or without Odegaard.
In a recent interview with club legend Merson, Arteta shared his thoughts on the team's current form. "I'm feeling very relaxed, focused, and positive," he said. "Yes, it's been a difficult patch, but I thought we were outstanding against Inter Milan. The only thing missing was a goal. We must remember that this Inter team was a top contender for the Champions League a few years ago, and they also had a strong showing last year. So, to keep them on their toes but not score was a huge achievement."
Merson also spoke to Arteta about the upcoming London derby against Chelsea, and the manager remained upbeat. "It was great talking to him, an absolute pleasure," Merson shared. "He was very positive and relaxed. We're ready for the game, and we know what we need to do to come out on top."
Declan Rice, who missed the midweek match against Inter due to a toe injury, is also looking forward to the game. "It's a massive match," he said. "Every London derby is important, and we never want to lose against our city rivals. We had good results in these matches last season, and we'll need to continue that this season. We have a talented group of players, and we know we can perform well and secure three points against a strong Chelsea team."
Rice added, "We have to earn the win, and we'll go out there and give it our all. We know that Chelsea is a top team, so we have to be at our best. But after our recent run of results, we'll be fired up and ready to fight. We don't need any extra motivation to perform, we know what's at stake."
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