Former Arsenal defender Martin Keown has claimed that Tottenham Hotspur are favourites for the weekend’s tie.
The Gunners make the short trip across North London to Wembley to take on our rivals this Saturday, and a lost for our boys would put us in trouble in our bid to reach the top four.
Should our noisy neighbours manage to win in the afternoon match-up, that would leave us trailing them by seven points going into the final 11 matches of the league campaign, a dangerous task to leave ourselves to try and reach the top four.
Former Arsenal star Keown has named Spurs as favourite for the match unfortunately, citing our terrible away record for his opinion, refusing to give our side credit for an impressive transfer window.
“I don’t put Arsenal as favourites because of their appalling away record,” he said.
“They have won just three of their 13 Premier League away games.
“They have been that bad away from home that at times I have found it difficult to watch them.”
He moved onto rule out our ability to challenge for the title due to our form on the road.
“When Arsenal are really at it — as they were at home against Everton last week — they can embarrass teams,” he added.
“With the artistry of Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Henrikh Mkhitaryan, they will be able to do that to a few teams.
“But Arsenal are not yet ready to win a Premier League because of their inability to stay in games away from home for long enough to grind out results.
“They have not been thorough enough in their defending.
“There seems to be a lack of focus at the start of games and Arsenal have been sloppy.”
Should Spurs be favourites despite our new-look attack? How many of you are confident of a positive result this weekend?
Pat J