'What they've got to understand': Ian Wright shares what he'd emphasise to the Arsenal players if he was manager

Arsenal have had a bright start to the Premier League season, but they go into the international break having dropped points in their last match.

The Gunners won their first two games of the campaign, but had to make do with a draw in their meeting with Brighton & Hove Albion.

Although Arsenal had fewer chances overall and less possession than the Seagulls, they had the most shots on target – seven compared to Brighton’s four.

However, the Gunners could only convert one of those chances, which Highbury legend Ian Wright was not happy about.

Wright, speaking on the Wrighty’s House podcast, shared what he’d be telling the Arsenal players if he was their manager or just in the dressing room.

Declan Rice of Arsenal takeoff his jacket during the Premier League match between Arsenal FC and Brighton & Hove Albion FC at Emirates Stadium ...

Photo by Ryan Pierse/Getty Images

Ian Wright wants Arsenal players to be more clinical in first half

The Arsenal icon said he would tell the Gunners players that it’s essential to convert those first-half chances in order to break the opposition’s spirit.

Wright said this is one of the key traits in the Manchester City setup, and of other great teams over the years.

“The chances we had in the first half… it’s going to come down to that,” said Wright. “It will come down to that.

“What they’ve got to understand is like City have done and what great teams do, they make sure that when they get those chances, you take them because that then finishes the game off.

“If I’m in the dressing room or I’m the manager, I want them to see the chances because I’ve got to emphasise to them how important it is to take these chances in the first half to kill these teams’ spirit.”

What next for Arsenal?

With the international break under way, Mikel Arteta will be eager to regroup, although he’ll have to do so with a depleted squad in training.

Arsenal’s next game is the North London derby, and they’ll on the road against Tottenham Hotspur, who also have a point to prove after losing to Newcastle United last time out.

The game takes place on Sunday 15 September and kicks off at 1:30pm BST.

There’s a good chance Arsenal newcomer Raheem Sterling will be in line for his debut after moving on loan to N5 from Chelsea on transfer deadline day.