Mikel Arteta has emphasized that Arsenal’s focus will be on exploiting Chelsea’s weaknesses rather than solely concentrating on the threat posed by Cole Palmer.
The Gunners make the trip to West London after suffering two away defeats in just four days – first to Newcastle United in the Premier League, and then to Inter Milan in the Champions League.
With Arsenal dropping points in four other Premier League matches, their title challenge is now under pressure, trailing league leaders Liverpool by seven points – a margin no team has successfully overturned in over 30 years of top-flight football.
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Injuries to key players, including Martin Ødegaard and Declan Rice, have also taken a toll on Arsenal, making it crucial for Arteta’s side to bounce back with a win against a Chelsea team that continues to improve under manager Enzo Maresca. Palmer, in particular, has impressed after a strong start to his first season at Stamford Bridge.
When asked about his strategy to neutralize Palmer’s impact, Arteta explained that while Arsenal would have a plan for the 22-year-old, their main objective would be to target Chelsea’s overall vulnerabilities.
“That’s a question every manager in the league has probably faced over the past year or so, and yet he’s still managed to influence games,” Arteta said. “Of course, we will have a plan, not just for Cole, but to limit the quality and threats Chelsea possess and look to exploit their weaknesses, as we would against any team.”
On Ødegaard’s potential return to the starting lineup after a two-month injury layoff, Arteta acknowledged the importance of the Norwegian playmaker but stressed that Arsenal’s attacking success hinges on the collective effort.
“We are demanding a lot, but it’s not realistic to put it all on one player,” Arteta said. “It’s about the collective, with every player taking responsibility in attack and doing it more consistently.
“Having Martin back is certainly a boost, though. He’s shown how crucial he’s been for us over the last few years, and we hope his return can make a quick impact. His influence isn’t just in attack, but also in how we transition between phases of play, which is key to our style.”