Granit Xhaka, a midfielder for Arsenal, and manager Mikel Arteta anticipate an improvement in the Gunners’ play when they visit Southampton at the Emirates on Friday night.
The north Londoners have lost their previous two Premier League games against West Ham and Liverpool, drawing both contests 2-2 after having 2-0 leads in each of them at the half. Manchester City’s closing of the second-place gap to just four points, as a result, has given Arsenal little leeway in their remaining games.
Accordingly, Arteta’s team should be in prime position to resume winning ways when they host bottom-of-the-table Saints on Friday. Xhaka claims he expects to witness an improvement in his team’s performance in that game.
“I believe you have two very challenging road games today against Liverpool. The midfielder said on Sunday to football.london, “We knew that.
“However, let’s now review everything. Let’s assess the game today before continuing tomorrow. You guys, as well as us, will undoubtedly notice a response on Friday.
Aiming to win the Premier League for the first time since 2004, Arsenal has led the standings for the bulk of the season with City chasing them closely.
Arteta understands his team needs to regain its best form against Southampton in order to enter the remaining games of the season at their best. The two teams still have to play each other at the Etihad before the season is through, and that game will likely be a title decider.
Arteta responded when asked what Arsenal must do following their 2-2 draw with West Ham: ‘Go again and practise incredibly well, then on Friday play at the same level as we performed the first 35 minutes against a team that is fighting for their lives’.