Premier League leaders Arsenal are gunning for their first league title in 22 years this term, having achieved three successive second-place finishes. And, Gunners great Ian Wright has revealed he is worried about the club’s title charge despite recently beating Chelsea.
Arsenal Urged To Better Second Half Displays Following Chelsea Win
Earlier this Sunday, March 1, Mikel Arteta’s outfit took the lead after William Saliba scored from a corner kick in the 21st minute of the 2-1 home victory over Chelsea. Piero Hincapie put the ball into his own net just before the break, while Jurrien Timber scored the decisive goal from yet another set-piece situation in the 66th minute of the London derby.
Speaking on ‘Premier League Productions’ after the end of the league win, Wright asserted that the Gunners suffered from nerves after the Blues lost Pedro Neto to a red card.
“Chelsea… once they went down to 10 men, they started to play. It was worrying… Arsenal showing those nerves, those jittery nerves at the latter stages of games. They need to take the opportunities earlier on so they can relax at this stage. They have to just win (games) now, especially the home games. It’s not going to be something that instills you with loads of confidence but it’s a win,” the 1997-98 Premier League winner remarked.
Wright, who scored 185 times for the Gunners from 1991 to 1998, also highlighted how his former club has a tendency to perform poorly in the second halves of matches.
“We are seeing in the second half of games, teams can get at Arsenal. Chelsea had 10 men there. It would be nice to find out what’s happening to Arsenal in the second half. It comes down to ‘you get the job done’, and I’m happy the job is done, but I’m going to be nervous for the next game because I’m seeing that again in the second half,” Wright added.
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After Neto was sent off in the 70th minute, Arteta’s side completed 55 passes in an attempt to defend their slender 2-1 lead. In comparison, the Liam Rosenior-coached club completed 114 passes during the same period despite playing with only 10 stars. The hosts completed just seven passes, fewer than Chelsea’s 53, from the 85th minute until the final whistle.
Arsenal now face a tricky trip to 11th-placed Brighton & Hove Albion on Wednesday, March 4, hoping to maintain their five-point lead over second-placed Manchester City. They are now on 64 points from 29 games, while the Cityzens have an extra match in hand.
