The Gunners sit just four points above the Premier League relegation zone ahead of Saturday’s London derby against Chelsea.
Mikel Arteta believes ‘the next seven to eight days’ will define Arsenal’s season, with the club currently just four points above the relegation zone in 15th-place in the Premier League standings.
Talk of a shock relegation battle has unfolded in recent weeks following the club’s barren run of form, having managed just one win in their last 10 league games.
It’s left Arteta under tremendous pressure in the festive period in what is likely a make-or-break situation – especially after Tuesday’s 4-1 EFL Cup quarter-final defeat at home to Manchester City.
And now the Spaniard has acknowledged the next three league games between December 26 and January 2 will play a decisive impact on Arsenal’s season. First up is Chelsea on Boxing Day before trips to 17th-place Brighton and second-bottom West Brom.
“I think the next seven to eight days are going to be crucial to see where we are going to be heading in the Premier League,” said Arteta as quoted on Goal.
Arsenal will welcome Chelsea on Saturday for the 202nd derby between the London clubs, and Arteta believes a 79th victory over the Blues would be a perfect remedy.
“The best thing to do when you have a situation like that is to have the possibility to do things outside of the site, get them together in a change of environment,” continued the Gunners boss.
“But at the moment, with Covid [restrictions], we cannot do it and probably we are not going to be able to do it in a while.
“We have to try other ways, but I have to say the players are really putting in a lot of energy enthusiasm not to lose what we are building, but it takes a lot of energy because we are losing games.
“Every game is a lot of weight on your shoulders, it’s a lot of disappointment and people are suffering.
“We are hurting and suffering and we have to get back, start believing again and try to push the players, then they respond and are excited for the game.
“The best medicine, better than anything that can happen outside of our facilities, is to win against Chelsea.”
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