Arsenal are top of the Premier League, but club legend Ian Wright says they risk being overtaken by Manchester City and Aston Villa if they continue to fail in one area.
Manager Ian Wright said Arsenal must start seizing their chances in the Premier League title race or risk dropping points after praising David Raya for saving his former club in Arsenal’s 2-1 win over Brighton.
The Spanish goalkeeper looked destined to equalize in the second half as the Seagulls looked to equalize, making a brilliant save from Yankuba Minte’s curling shot. Instead, Arsenal will pick up three points and will have the chance to finish top of the table in 2025 if they succeed in their next game against Aston Villa.
Manchester City are two points behind Arsenal, and with Unai Emery’s Villa able to equalize with a win over the north Londoners, their position is far from secure. The space above the table is narrow.
And Wright is deeply concerned about Arsenal’s lack of cutting edge, with Manchester City and Aston Villa currently on the back foot. “I think David Raya probably saved us the blushes with that great save,” the Gunners legend told Premier League Productions.
read more: Arsenal’s latest injuries, Aston Villa, Timber, Calafiori set to return before injuryread more: Compare the next five games between Arsenal, Man City and Aston Villa in the Premier League title race
“But that’s the problem we have at the moment. For some reason, we’re creating chances and we just can’t seem to convert them comfortably in the game, and then the anxiety kicks in and you feel the energy of a basketball game.”
“With Gabriel Magalhães coming back, I hope that the closeness between him and (William) Saliba will stick with us.
“But basically we won the game, so hopefully we can settle down and start taking our chances, because I don’t think you can get away with it that often.”
Mikel Arteta expressed similar frustration after Arsenal’s win over Brighton. He wants to see the team become more clinical. “I am very satisfied with the overwhelming performance both individually and collectively,” he said.
“I’m very happy with all of that because we were a big threat. But the margin should have been bigger. I mean, it should never have been 2-1 given the many situations, chances and open chances we created throughout the game.”
“But that’s the Premier League and that’s the step we have to take. I think they scored with the first shot they had, but David has to make another save to preserve the result.”
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