MIKEL ARTETA BELIEVES both Arsenal and Southampton will be “hurting” ahead of the Premier League meeting between the sides tomorrow but predicted more “twists” in the race to finish in the top four.
Arsenal had been on an impressive run as they sought to secure a Champions League place for next season but have lost three out of their past four games.
Southampton, who have taken just one point from their past five league matches, were hammered 6-0 by Chelsea last week.
Arteta believes both sides will be feeling the effects of recent defeats.
“I think you are going to see two teams that are hurting,” the Arsenal manager said on Friday.
“We are hurting because of the last two games and we want to perform and win and I am sure after the home defeat that they had they want to do the same.”
The Gunners’ north London rivals Tottenham currently sit in fourth spot, three points clear of Arteta’s side, having played one game more.
The Spaniard said Arsenal’s ambition to finish in the top four for the first time since the 2015/16 season, when they finished second, was fuelled more by the club’s rich tradition than competition with Tottenham.
“I think it’s related to our history, we want to not be fourth but third, second, or first and that’s what we have to do and that’s always within every supporter and anyone who has any connection with the club,” he said.
“So the moment that you see the team doing better and having better aspirations, your tendency is to get excited about it and I think that’s the right reaction.”
Speaking about the rest of the season, he said: “There’s going to be some twists still for sure and the pressure and situation is going to keep changing between now and the end of the season. We have to be focused on us and what we have to do.”
Will the fight against Dubois be rescheduled.
As long as Bivol stayed on his feet he was getting that result so that Eddie and the Saudies could bring us the trilogy fight.
@Jp Cleary: in fairness he boxed the right fight using his jab and combinations to keep Artur at distance. Bivol speed and countering were excellent in the latter half of the fight and the cross was given Artur all sorts of problems. It was close 115-113 was fair. Artur had the better early and late rounds with his pressure and shot selection, but Bivol adapted, a trilogy is a must, two close fights. I know Parker is trained by Andy Lee but Christ, give these two light heavyweights greats the headline. They’ll go down as legends. I would love to see the trilogy in vegas but that unfortunately wont happen with the Saudi money.
@John Clifford: how much did bakole get for the two rounds it was a total mismatch he didn’t look like the first cousin of a boxer?
John Clifford.. completely agree wrong fight getting the headlines here .. beterbiev-bivol super fight real skill between two elite fighters.. beterbiev is very unusual at forty to be able to compete with a man who dismantled canello.. bivol will win fight three I’d say, age has to be on his side a bit plus supreme skills
Fairplay him taking bokole out nowhere always was going be dangerous he can put feet up in morecambe againg Tyson hughie and all the boys.
@Paully kells: what you say Paully???