Arsenal play host to champions elect Chelsea this weekend in a fixture that has the potential to decide how early the Blues could make Premier League title theirs and Jamie Carragher suggested that Arsenal should try to win this game for a brighter future.
The former Liverpool defender stated that Arsene Wenger must be worried about his shabby record against his foe in Jose Mourinho and added that the French manager should try to put this pattern to bed by registering his first victory over the Portuguese manager in an attempt to build the title winning mentality.
a Obviously Arsene Wenger is going to say it isna t that big a thing, but Ia m sure ita s in the back of his mind. You dona t want a record like that against anyone. Ia m sure it gives confidence to Chelsea and Mourinho that they can get one over on Arsenal.a
He ruled out the Gunnersa chances of clinching their first Premier League title in more than a decade and stated that beating the Stamford Bridge side in the London derby could offer them more belief for the next season.
a You could argue that ita s not mathematically out of Arsenala s hands if they win but his game could, from Arsenala s point of view if they won, give them more belief for next season than actually do damage to Chelsea this season.a
The former England international claimed that Arsenal could not afford to make mistakes against the Jose Mourinho managed side and stated that the Gunners might well bottle the game with one minor mistake given the ruthlessness of the table-toppers.
a They must not make mistakes. Chelsea are the most ruthless team in the league a they capitalise on other teamsa mistakes. At times wea ve seen Arsenal do that, but Ia m sure Arsenal are going to be really focused and concentrated.a
He heaped praise on the visitors for their defensive credibility and warned Arsenal not to switch off at any time as he stated that punishment will be on the cards in the event of losing focus during the game.
a Chelsea rarely make mistakes themselves. Defensively theya re always very strong, always very solid. You just cana t afford to switch off at any time against this Chelsea team because they punish you. That will be the big thing, though a make any mistakes at the back and they will punish.a
With Francis Coquelin shielding the defence, chances vary from zero to very little that the Gunners lose their wakefulness and focus during the game and Chelsea are a side, whose defense is equally hard to unlock. This heavyweight clash is certain to offer a lot of drama and would be a treat to adrenaline junkies as one can even expect Arsene Wenger to dropkick his Chelsea counterpart.