Oleksandr Zinchenko wants Arsenal to have the mindset of title contenders as they go toe to toe with Manchester City, declaring: “We have a dream.”
Arsenal beat Chelsea 1-0 yesterday to go two points clear at the top of the table, with manager Mikel Arteta stating for the first time that the Gunners are in the title race.
Zinchenko, who won four Premier League titles with Manchester City before joining Arsenal in the summer, knows there is still a long way to go, but he has been impressed by the talent and spirit of his new team-mates. Now the Ukrainian wants Arsenal to shift their mindset from being top-four contenders to challengers for the title.
“There is always some space to improve, but I think we are in the right way as a team, as a family,” said Zinchenko. “It starts in the dressing room and it’s on the pitch as well. We are trying to push each other, we are trying to help each other. I think this is the right way to do it.
“Still we have a dream, we believe that we can achieve something this season. Let’s see what is going to happen. I can feel that this group of people, they are special. Starting from our staff and then all the people on our training ground, our fans, we believe in ourselves, every single game.
“I got used to hearing that Arsenal were top four. I would say that I really want to kill and destroy this stereotype. We need to look further and I think this team, this group of people, the fans, they deserve more. That’s what we need to do. We need hard work in this and let’s see at the end of season.
“You ask me if we can challenge Manchester City and stuff. Of course, they are an amazing team, but you never know what can happen in football. We need to go step by step with every single game.”
Arsenal impressed in their win over Chelsea, which came courtesy of a second-half goal from Gabriel. The Gunners dominated possession and Chelsea struggled to create chances on a frustrating afternoon for Blues boss Graham Potter.
Arteta has continually played down talk of Arsenal being in the title race but, asked directly whether Arsenal were now in contention, he said: “We are today. But in football, today and tomorrow is very different, so let’s enjoy tonight.”
Arsenal will be top when the season breaks for the World Cup if they match Manchester City’s result this weekend. The Gunners play at Wolves on Saturday night, while City are at home against Brentford in the lunchtime kick-off the same day.
Zinchenko believes it will be an “important feeling” if Arsenal are at the summit going into the World Cup break and he is urging the squad to stay focused this week.
“You have to believe in yourself and the things which you are doing,” he said. “You have to believe in the process and that is what we are trying to do every single game.
“It is an important feeling for everyone, but let’s focus now on Brighton [in the EFL Cup on Wednesday] and then Wolves. Then if we are there [top of the League], it’s perfect for us. So, let’s keep going.”
