Graham Potter doesn’t want Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang’s reunion with Arsenal to be a distraction for his Chelsea side on Sunday.
The 33-year-old will come face to face with Mikel Arteta for the first time since his controversial exit from north London in February, when his time with the Gunners ended in acrimonious fashion.
Potter doesn’t think the focus needs to be on Aubameyang, given that his side face a team top of the table in a crucial London derby.
“History makes it an interesting one for Auba, but the past is the past,” Potter said at Cobham Training Centre.” We’re just looking at the game.
“We shouldn’t make it about him. It’s about the team. He’s an important part of the team. For us to get the result we want, that takes everyone. Not just one person.
“But there’s a narrative around him, I understand. But as a team and a group, we have to play well ourselves. I think he’s looking forward to the game, excited about it.
“He’s been pretty normal from what I’ve seen. Quite a quiet guy. I’m sure come match day he’ll be determined.”
Potter has enjoyed a positive start to his time at Chelsea, despite a 4-1 defeat to Brighton last weekend, winning seven and drawing three of his other ten games in charge.
Chelsea’s manager urged patience and cited Arsenal’s project as an example of how his side can close the gap to their rivals.
“They’ve recruited well,” Potter said. “Zinchenko and Jesus know what you need to do to win. It’s a really good example of how success can come.
“[Arteta’s] had to face some pressure from the outside, but the club have stayed supportive and stuck to their ideas. The younger players have got more game time and become more experienced. The coaching experience becomes better with time. Good ideas and recruitment.
He added: “It hasn’t gone so well recently (for Chelsea at home to Arsenal). We have to do better there, that’s for sure. London derby, anything can happen in the game. That type of occasion. We want to get the crowd involved in the game. They’re our 12th player.”
