We Are Mentally Strong, and We Are Still in Control: Xhaka Makes Bold Claim About The PL Title Race
Arsenal’s doubters have been on a downer over the last two weeks. Arsenal has struggled in its last two Premier League games, failing to win both. Arsenal surrendered four key points against Liverpool and West Ham United, allowing Manchester City to tighten the gap.
Much has been made about why the Gunners have been unable to win games they had control of, but Granit Xhaka believes one factor that should not be blamed for their recent struggles is their mental strength.
Xhaka believes there is still hope and motivation in the Arsenal camp to win the Premier League this season. He implies that they are not concerned with what Manchester City is doing but rather with what they can control.
And that their fate is not sealed because they have seven more finals to win and prove sceptics wrong by winning the Premier League title.
“This is not about our mentality, and I am certain everyone will see a reaction against Southampton on Friday. Everything is still in our own hands if we win our remaining games, so nothing has changed on that front. We go into our next matches with the same objective; we’re not looking at what Manchester City are doing,” said Xhaka, as quoted by Goal.
“Sunday’s game was similar to the match at Liverpool last week, where we started very well, scored two goals, but couldn’t get the win. We need to analyse why this happened twice in a row. But if anyone thinks that we’d get to this point of this season by smashing all our opponents without dropping points, I think they’re not in the right position.
“We are disappointed, and when things are not going well, it’s easy to show the finger to someone else. But now is the time for everyone to be together. We have taken on a challenge which no one was thinking about before this season started, and now we have seven games to go, so let’s carry on.”
Arsenal had a chance to win the Premier League title easily, but after squandering four points in the last two games, they are only four points ahead of City (who has a game in hand). It is a do-or-die situation for Arsenal to win the league.
However, one may argue that lifting the PL title is as simple for Arteta and his team as winning all of their remaining games; whether they do so remains to be seen, but we should believe they can because it is all in the head.
Daniel O
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I agree with Xhaka’s point that it’s time to stick together. But there’s no hiding from the reality. The way in which we lost two games after having a two goal lead is a massive worry. It also typifies a worrying trend of self inflicted capitulation when the pressure is on. I just hope that having title winning players in the squad will prove invaluable from now to the end of the season.
I’ve read a lot recently in the media by pundits about whether Arsenal fans should be happy with second place in the EPL. Yes, we are all surprised to be in the position we are at the top of the table for so long this season. But this will be our best chance is we are going to win it. While other big teams have faltered we have done so well. It may be years before we get another chance. I think it would be a massive shame to simply “bottle” it once again. I hope Xhaka’s words are not just words. Come Friday night, we’ll soon find out?
I also read this week from various sources (Including Rio Ferdinand) that Arteta may be on the move this summer to Real Madrid? If this is the case, and the Arsenal squad know about it, I’m sure that would have a negative effect on the team? Surely it can’t be the case?
I think Arteta is going no where.
As for the team, we only need miracle to win the league have dropped valuable points after leading with 2 goals in two consecutive games.
Xhaka said ‘we are not looking at what mancity is doing’. I think this is the right time to look at what mancity is doing and work harder to secure maximum points in all the remaining features including our game against mancity.
Looking at what mancity is doing will keep the players on their toes and avoid complacency
If mentality was not an issue then the subject would not have been raised. How often was mentality a concern when we were up on City by 6 or 8 points?
Issue is raised now after dropping points from games we controlled, and comparing the pressure to the last 4 games of last season.
The mentality issue will be answered with our remaining games and how we finish.
As Sir Alex Ferguson used to say.. “Twitchy bum time”. We will indeed see the answers very soon!
I don’t think it’s good that our players are even thinking about a mental block. I’d rather they focus on the next performance and how they can regain form. If we play the way we know we can play then there are no worries, think about that one boys