Arsenal news: Mikel Arteta admits to major “problem” as fierce rival rubs salt in wounds

This season all started so well for Arsenal, but their fortunes have taken a rapid downward turn.

The Gunners’ Champions League defeat to Inter Milan was their third in their last seven games in all competitions. Their only wins in recent weeks have come against Shakhtar Donetsk and Preston North End of the Championship in the Carabao Cup.

Arsenal’s form has also hampered their bid to finally wrestle the Premier League title away from Manchester City. The North London side are already seven points off the pace in the race for the league title.

With Chelsea set to come this weekend, that gap could be set to grow. Take a look at all of the latest news from the Emirates Stadium ahead of that clash.

Arteta admits to problem
Mikel Arteta has suggested that Arsenal’s failure to find the net could cost them in the race for the Premier League crown. The Gunners have lost each of their previous two games 1-0.

Speaking ahead of the weekend clash with Chelsea, he said: “When you don’t win it affects the energy. The positive thing is there is nobody outside who wants to win more than me or those players. It is impossible.

“That desire, today I had a meeting about it and I could sense it straight away and the belief about how good we are as a team. What we did in Milan, having watched it back twice, I haven’t seen a team doing that against them.

“But you need to take that into winning a football match. That’s the only thing that people are going to judge. You can overrun the opponent you can outperform the opponent in every single way. It’s about whether you scored a goal. That’s the problem. The problem has to be resolved by scoring more goals than the opponents. That’s it.”

Postecoglou sends chilling warning
Tottenham boss Ange Postecoglou has claimed that Arsenal have no more room for errors should they want to win the league this season. He said: "Obviously Liverpool are still on course to potentially achieve that but Arsenal pretty much have to be perfect between now and the end of the year to reach those targets.

“The competition in the Premier League and the demands that all the clubs have with European football, international football, the injuries, it's unlikely.

“Liverpool are still in that kind of position so it may take that [number] but if you look at the beginning of the Premier League, it will be hard for some other clubs to reach that level unless they're perfect. With Man City, that could very well happen.”

What side should Arsenal name vs Chelsea? Share your thoughts in the comments below

Johnson sends ‘must-win’ demand
On the topic of the title race, ex-Chelsea defender Glen Johnson already believes that Arsenal’s clash with his former side is must win for Arteta. Speaking to 10bet, he said: "There's probably more pressure on Arsenal because they're supposed to be going for the title.

"Chelsea right now will be over the moon where they are, considering last year and the season before. I'd say the pressure's on Arsenal.

“I still think Arsenal are going to be bang in there, but you can't be sitting sixth if you're going for a title, or joint-fifth. If they want to win the title, I think they need to win."


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