Mikel Arteta Applies Psychological Pressure By Highlighting Chelsea’s Scheduling Advantage In Title Race
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has been playing a subtle mind game ahead of Sunday’s clash with Chelsea at the Emirates Stadium.
When asked whether Chelsea are genuine title contenders this season, Arteta chose his words carefully, pointing to the club’s lighter schedule as a significant advantage.
Chelsea failed to qualify for European competition last season, meaning new head coach Xabi Alonso will have the luxury of free midweek slots throughout the campaign.
That freedom allows Alonso more time on the training ground to implement his tactical ideas and gives his players valuable rest and recovery between matches.
Arteta acknowledged that Chelsea possess all the ingredients required to mount a serious Premier League title challenge this season.
“I think they have every ingredient to be in the highest part of the table, that’s for sure,” Arteta said in his pre-match press conference.
“Knowing him (Alonso), the history of the club, the quality of the squad they have, the schedule that they’re going to face in relation to the other teams, so it’s very possible that that’s going to be the case.”
Arsenal themselves had a demanding campaign last season, winning the title while also reaching two cup finals, which placed significant physical demands on Arteta’s squad.
Fatigue became a notable issue as the season wore on, and Arsenal will now face a rival who has had considerably more opportunity to stay fresh and prepared.
The contrast in workload between the two sides could prove a meaningful factor over the course of what promises to be a fiercely competitive title race.
Alonso, widely regarded as one of the most exciting young managers in European football, will be eager to prove Chelsea can compete at the very top in his debut season in charge.
With Sunday’s 4:30pm kick-off at the Emirates Stadium looming, Arteta’s comments will have done little to lower the stakes surrounding what is already a high-profile fixture.
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