Rio Ferdinand has praised Arsenal’s powers of recovery after reasserting themselves in the Premier League title race, following defeats to Aston Villa and Bayern Munich which left their season hanging in the balance.
The former Manchester United defender lauded the composure of Gunners boss Mikel Arteta after watching his team demolition Chelsea 5-0 to move three points clear at the top. Arsenal have played a game more than Liverpool, who meet Everton on Wednesday, and two more than Manchester City, who trail them by four points.
‘What I would say is that it just seems to be an air of confidence, steeliness, I think there’s been a learning from last year.’
‘His [Arteta] composure in the week that we had the week before this, where they lost against Aston Villa and they lost against Bayern Munich going out of Champions League .
‘You wouldn’t be up in arms if the wheels have fallen off, you just go, you know, I kind of expected that, but the way you would gain composure himself, but also his team on the pitch, has been something for me, a new a newfound respect for him at this stage.
‘Yes, they still got a lot of work to do, and they still have to get over the line and win the league, but just even that little area, I think, is a big shift from last season.’
On a perfect night at the Emirates, goals from Leandro Trossard, Ben White and Kai Havertz – the latter pair grabbing two apiece – reignited hopes of securing a first league title in 20 years. Arsenal also bolstered their league-best goal difference with the thumping win, moving 13 ahead of second-best Liverpool and a further goal ahead of City.
Kai Havertz bagged a brace in the 5-0 thrashing of his former team at the Emirates on Tuesday
Gunners fans will be hopeful of their rivals slipping up in fixtures this week. Jurgen Klopp’s side travel to Goodison Park, where they have been held to a draw in five of their last six visits. City, meanwhile make the trip to the Amex to face Brighton, who will be hoping to capitalise on Chelsea’s dropped points in the race for European qualification.
