Arsenal bounced back in fashion on Wednesday evening as they beat Chelsea in a thrilling 4-2 win at Stamford Bridge to prove Paul Merson right about their recent slump.
Speaking on Sky Sports prior to the match, the former Gunners midfielder claimed that a drop in potential was a key reason behind the side's three consecutive defeats in recent weeks, suggesting that they can't replicate the likes of Manchester City or Liverpool when they aren't at their best.
"They were playing to their ceiling. Their players were playing until their highest potential but that seems to have dropped off a little bit," Merson said. "They are not Manchester City or Liverpool who can win games playing at 80%, they have to be at 100% to win and they have not been like that in their recent games."
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Arsenal appeared to at least play a lot closer to 100% against the Blues, possessing energy, determination and composure to ensure three points were secured. But as Merson explained, if the levels were any lower then the result could have turned out differently, with both teams lacking concentration at certain moments.
Merson also touched on Arsenal's lack of goals, with just one scored in over 270 minutes of football this month prior to the Chelsea fixture. "The hardest thing in football is to score goals. And some of those from Arsenal have been bad misses, but they have missed some excellent chances during the past three to four games. Again, they aren't playing to their ceiling and those chances were going in when they were playing at their best but it has dropped off a bit."
Mikel Arteta's men certainly had their shooting boots on last night, showing an improved sharpness and clinical edge to their game which ultimately led to them putting four past Edouard Mendy. In particular, Eddie Nketiah and Emile Smith Rowe found the back of the net via lovely finishes, highlighting a successful night in front of goal.
All attention now turns to another huge game on Saturday as Manchester United visit the Emirates, and the hope in north London will be that the Gunners can follow up their midweek victory with a display at similar intensity in order to keep their top fours hopes alive.
