Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta could only manage one point from his first game in charge and next match, he will be hosting Frank Lampard’s Chelsea at the Emirates on Sunday.
The former Arsenal man was appointed as the new boss last week and the London Derby will be his first real test at the Emirates and many people feel that this match could give a sense of direction to the current Gunners squad.
Surely Mikel Arteta will not be judged on this one particular result but the Spaniard seems pretty clear what he wants from his players on Sunday.
According to the manager, he would want to see energy from his players when they take on Chelsea but he’s also accepted that it will take time to rebuild the confidence at the club.
‘I think energy is everything, in life, in football and in sports. If we are able to generate this it will give us a lift,’ he said via The Metro.
‘I was really pleased with how the fans treated the players [against Bournemouth] and I was happy that the players went to see the fans after the game as well because we need that connection.
‘Slowly, we need to build that back to where it was. It’s going to be very powerful for us to use that.’
‘Hopefully, we can change it. First I need to convince the players and then, if I can convince the players, afterwards we can convince the fans.
‘I think it’s very, very important in my job. At the end of the day, they’re expecting a lot from us.
‘We have to give them enjoyment, we have to make their lives better and, when we win, it will be better because they will be happier.
‘It’s our responsibility and we have to do everything we can to achieve that.’
Arsenal have been short of confidence for most of the season but in midweek we did see a bit of a spark especially from the forward players.
But everyone knows for a fact that it is the defensive areas which is the main cause of concern for Mikel Arteta and with the kind of attacking talent that the Blues have at their disposal, they can surely cause a lot of damage.
