Arsenal legend Lauren insists the Gunners must go up another level to prove they can cope with the pressure of the title race.
Mikel Arteta’s men surrendered a two-goal lead at Liverpool on Sunday and gave Manchester City fresh hope with Pep Guardiola’s reigning champions in irresistible form.
But Lauren, who was part of Arsenal ’s Invincibles title-winning season, believes the current generation will prove they can handle the run-in and warned the Champions League will be a distraction for City. Lauren, who was speaking to sportingpost.com, said: “Right now, I feel Arsenal are coping with a nine out of ten rating with the pressure.
“But to get over the line and win the title, they may need to reach a ten out of ten and see out the three points like they didn’t quite manage at Anfield. I think they will show they can cope with the pressure.
“I feel very proud of this team because they've been dominating games, winning seven games in a row going into Anfield at such a crucial period of the season. It’s been fantastic. I think they will show in the next eight games they can cope with the pressure and get over the line.
“The Liverpool game was one of the all-time great Premier League games. Arsenal hugely contributed to that and were exceptional for the first half hour. Arsenal could have won, Liverpool could have won and we ended up with a draw.
“The team showed incredible personality, ambition, determination and willingness to win, and the first 30 minutes showed exactly why Arsenal are deservedly top of the League.
“Arsenal need to maintain the very highest level until the end of the season, but overall I can’t help but feel we lost two points because to score two goals away from home you have to find a way to maintain what you’ve done and get the three points.
“In these moments, it's not just the responsibility of the manager to impact what is happening, it can come from the players on the pitch to manage the situation. The players have to find it within themselves to manage the game and win the game.
“I’m sure they will benefit from going through this type of game and it’s the type of challenge that comes with being top of the league and trying to fight so hard for the Premier League title.”
Lauren also says it should not be seen as a “formality” that City will win all of their remaining games and claimed that there is a queue of pundits rooting for Guardiola’s men to maintain their Premier League crown. But ex-Arsenal defender Lauren believes City’s tough schedule in Europe and the FA Cup can be a major factor and ultimately be their undoing.
Lauren added: “The big talking point coming out of the game at Anfield was that it is now in Manchester City’s hands. Ok it’s true, but it’s of course in Arsenal’s hands! I think there’s psychology from many of those wanting Manchester City to win the League, including some pundits, waiting until we had a moment where Manchester City had the title back in their hands.
“That doesn’t mean they’re going to! I respect that some pundits will believe they will, but everyone can have their own opinion. Arsenal are six points clear. What a wonderful situation. If Arsenal win their games and draw with Manchester City, they will be the Champions. They may not need to even do that as it’s not a formality that Manchester City will win every fixture left.
“There’s huge pressure at Manchester City from everyone involved, to win the Champions League. It’s more than just a distraction, it is the reality when you play in the Champions League.
“They’ve failed during Pep’s time there to win it, so for these games they will put out their strongest side, they will need full intensity, everything to come through their European games. All of this effort they will need to give could benefit Arsenal.
“I also think that, if Arsenal are going to win the league, it was not a bad scenario that they lost to Sporting Lisbon and are out of the Europa League. I think that it could benefit Arsenal that Manchester City are still in the Champions League.”
Lauren was talking to sportingpost.com
