Former Arsenal captain Cesc Fabregas assessed Arsenal’s upcoming visit to face Sheffield United in the Premier League, explaining the added weight of the title race and the gulf between the two clubs
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Cesc Fabregas believes the Monday night clash with Sheffield United will be a challenge for Arsenal due to the added pressures of the title race, but one his former club can overcome.
The Gunners have been made to watch and wait for their own match while their rivals were in action across the weekend. First, it appeared leaders Liverpool would drop crucial points at Nottingham Forest, only to score a 99th-minute winner to extend their advantage, then Manchester City managed to defeat rivals Manchester United despite an initial scare on their own patch.
Now, Mikel Arteta must rally his players for a response at Bramall Lane to stay within touching distance of the pair. Fabregas is confident this will happen, though warns of potential nerves among the squad given the bigger picture.
Discussing the mental strain of the title race, the Spaniard told the Planet Premier League podcast: “It shouldn’t [affect the players] but unfortunately, mentally, it works this way. I see Arsenal at the moment as too strong. I see them confident
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“I know they lost against Porto, but I think in the Premier League nowadays they are two levels up and I believe that they know exactly what they’re doing.
“I’m sure they believe, and they’re pushing from the staff point of view to win this game more than anything because these games win titles.”
Another important factor that will come into play is the timing of the fixture, says the ex-midfielder, giving an analogy of a former tough team to visit during his playing days in England.
“It’s very different to go in my day to Stoke City on Saturday three o’clock then Monday night football,” he added.
“We go back to perceptions, to the humidity, the night time to approach the games, the travelling, the long wait for the game, these little things, knowing exactly what the opponents have done.”
Ultimately, Fabregas ended on a high note for Gunners supporters, predicting: “There’s a bit of everything but, at the moment, I see Arsenal a little bit too strong to be dropping points there.”
Source : https://www.football.london/arsenal-fc/news/cesc-fabregas-gives-sheffield-united-28745626#google_vignette
