Arteta was speaking about Arsenal’s upcoming fixtures as the Gunners are going to face Chelsea today and then Brighton on the 29th and West Brom on the 2nd of January. Mikel’s side currently sit 15th in the Premier League with just 1 win from the last 10 Premier League fixtures.
🗣 "The next 7 days are crucial"
Mikel Arteta on the importance of Arsenal's upcoming fixtures pic.twitter.com/Tf2QvRzcD0
— Football Daily (@footballdaily) December 26, 2020
The Daily Star are reporting that when asked ‘if his players are in a dogfight to avoid relegation, Arteta said:
“Yes, absolutely.”’
Arsenal are cureently only 4 points ahead of 18th place Fulham at the top of the relegation zone and they risk coming even closer to the bottom of the league unless they get some much needed point this weekend. Winning against Chelsea would be tough, especially in their current form so Arteta will be targeting the Brighton and West Brom games as must wins if he plans on keeping his job.
Fans are calling for the return of German midfielder Mesut Ozil to the squad but it does not seem likely.