Granit Xhaka has warned Arsenal now face “six cup finals” in the battle for a Champions League place.
Arsenal have an identical record to bitter rivals Tottenham having played 32 games, won 18, drawn three and lost 11 with only Spurs’ superior goal difference keeping them in fourth. The scrap could all come down to the rearranged North London derby at White Hart Lane on May 9 with a lucrative place back among Europe’s elite as the ultimate prize.
But it will also come down to a battle of wills and nerve as Arsenal looked like they had blown up after three straight defeats before their win at Chelsea on Wednesday night. Now they face top four rivals Manchester United at the Emirates on Saturday when they hope to turn the pressure on Tottenham who travel to Brentford later in the day.
Gunners midfielder Xhaka was outstanding at Chelsea and praised the spirit the players showed - but says they must lift themselves again for the United test. Xhaka said: “We are there now again. We have six finals and the next one is Manchester United on Saturday. We have to show the same character, the same spirit. We want to take the three points, we want to keep it [going] at home. And after the next week, I think, will be more quiet for us.”
It has felt like a hectic schedule for Arsenal despite already being out of the domestic cups and also not in Europe this season. But the defeats to Crystal Palace, Brighton and Southampton were bruising and yet the players dug deep to get a response at Chelsea.
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta insisted that shows how much it means to the players to finish in the top four while the pressure is just as big for Tottenham who slipped up against Brighton last weekend. Xhaka said: “The last three games were very disappointing for us, with zero points after three games. It is not what we wanted, but what we wanted was to show a reaction and I think, over 90 minutes, we deserved to win the game. It was a great team performance, tactically amazing, and it was a big three points for us.”
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Arteta rolled the dice at Chelsea by starting with a back five to match up against Thomas Tuchel’s side, switching his tactics twice in the first half and yet, rather than formations, it was the spirit which saw Arsenal get a precious win. Xhaka added: “We knew what we had to do if Chelsea were playing a different formation. They changed as well two or three teams their formation, so we had to adapt and we trained all the week [on this]. We were prepared very well, you saw that on the pitch.
“Of course, it doesn’t mean you are good and organised every time, but the guys were working very hard without the ball. When we had the ball we were good and created good chances to score maybe one or two more, but in the end we take the three points like this. It was a big game for us, for the fans, for the club, a derby. To win, like this, we are very happy.”
