Samir Nasri and Robert Pires have agreed that Arsenal's inexperience is beginning to show in the in the Premier League title race. Manchester City will welcome the Gunners to the Etihad Stadium on Wednesday evening in what is shaped to be a winner-takes-all clash.
The Gunners head into the blockbuster bout five points ahead of the reigning champions, who have two crucial games in hand. Anything but three points could significantly dent Arsenal's confidence in the run-in having already shown signs of nervousness.
They've squandered numerous opportunities to extend their lead at the top of the table, drawing each of their previous three games. The north London outfit have surrendered a pair of two-goal leads recently, while also going two-nil down inside a quarter of an hour against Southampton.
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Despite the fantastic progress which Arsenal have made this term, Nasri and Pires believe that the squad's inexperience has slowed them down at the most inconvenient time. Speaking to French outlet L'Equipe, the former said: "I can’t wait for it, because the winner will have one hand on the title, and the fact that these are two clubs that meant something for my playing career.
"City are reaching the peak of their form at the right moment, with all of their players being available for the run-in, unlike previous years. Meanwhile, Arsenal are slowing down, having been in the lead virtually all season. Sometimes, when you’re so close to your goal but you’re not used to winning, you get the jitters."
In an interview with Le Parisien, Pires explained why City could steam past Arsenal ahead of the run-in. The Frenchman said: "That’s the main difference between the two squads – City’s is much deeper and more powerful than Arsenal’s.
"Mikel Arteta has often played with the same 12 or 13 players. They’re a younger team, they have less experience, and that can be difficult when you have to go and get a title.
"The last two months are difficult. Everyone keeps telling you that you’re going to win, there’s tension, you’re more and more nervous… You can get tripped up."
Pires then attributed Arsenal's incredible return to the top of the Premier League to the efforts of Martin Odegaard and Bukayo Saka. The former Gunnes winger said: "Arsenal are becoming a great English club again, they’re fighting for the title and they’re rediscovering their DNA – that of playing beautiful football, one which also allows us to see young talents to emerge, like Martin Ødegaard and Bukayo Saka.
"It’s everything that Arsène Wenger put in place when he arrived at the club. He wanted people to be inspired by him and play beautiful football.
"These days, Arteta, who played under him before becoming Guardiola’s assistant, has managed to bring that back. Arsenal are back up on their feet and that’s why I like watching this team play.
"You can compare their style of play to that of Lens or Marseille in Ligue 1 – these are teams that constantly attack. Of course, there are weaknesses, but this tendency to attack is what we want to see more of in football."
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