Mikel Arteta says that Arsenal will not be distracted by their “fascinating” upcoming quarterfinals of Champions League with Real Madrid when they face Chelsea on Sunday.
The Gunners set up the blockbuster showdown with the 15-time champions after completing a 9-3 aggregated PSV routes in midweek.
To do this, they shift their focus to the termination of a three-game Windless Streak in the Premier League, so that they have fallen 15 points behind the Liverpool leaders.
Arsenal still takes second place, although that is now threatened by third place Nottingham Forest and Chelsea in fourth place.
On locking Hoorns with Madrid, Arteta said reporters: “Fascinating draw. We play the club with the greatest history in the competition. [We are] Very excited to play against them, but for that we have a number of large matches in the Premier League. “
The Gunners are unbeaten in each of their last six Premier League meetings with the blues, who have lost their last three league matches away from Stamford Bridge.
“They are two teams that want to be very dominant in their way of playing, very aggressive in the high press and the way we should have the ball,” Arteta added.
“There is a lot of individual quality at that pitch, so it's about imposing what you want in the direction in which you want to take the game and keep them far from their strengths. That will be the key.”
Although Gabriel Jesus and Kai Havertz are out for the season, the attacking options of Arsenal are stimulated by the recent return of Gabriel Martinelli, while Bukayo Saka is also close to full fitness.
Arteta, however, states that he will carefully manage the playing time of the Brazilian, who has made his comeback due to injury as a replacement in the 1-1 draw of last weekend with Manchester United.
“We have more options, but we have to manage the load,” he said. “[Martinelli] Is a bit for schedule, and we don't want to take any risks with him by loading him with more minutes.
“Saka is getting closer, he comes up and makes very good progress. Let's look. We have to throw him in the team, see how he reacts and how he can get fit quickly.”
Last time -Out against Chelsea at home …
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