Arsenal Training Session
A rejuvenated Arsenal do battle with Manchester United on Wednesday evening (Picture: Getty)
Arsenal legend Ian Wright has called on Gabriel Martinelli, Gabriel Jesus and Raheem Sterling to ‘step up’ ahead of a crucial winter period for the club.
The Gunners have recovered from a disappointing run of results – which coincided with the absence of their captain Martin Odegaard – to win their last three games in all competitions and now sit second in the Premier League table after 13 matches.
However, Liverpool have opened up a nine-point lead at the summit after a barnstorming start to Arne Slot’s tenure at Anfield, with the Merseyside giants asserting themselves as the overwhelming favourites in this year’s title race.
Tomorrow night, Arsenal – who are two points better off than champions Manchester City – will hope to close the gap on Liverpool when play host to Manchester United to the Emirates.
A rampant 4-0 victory over Everton helped kick-start Ruben Amorim’s United reign at the weekend and the stage is set for what promises to be an intriguing contest in north London.
Previewing the clash on Optus Sport’s The Kelly & Wrighty Show, ex-Arsenal striker Wright said: ‘With Manchester United and as good as it is for them at the minute, beating Ipswich and Everton, Amorim will know this is a different kettle of fish with Arsenal.
‘It’s a game Arsenal have to win. I think it’s a free hit for Manchester United with their improvement.
Republic of Ireland V England, UEFA Nations League.
Wright believes Martinelli, Jesus and Sterling must ‘step up’ (Picture: Getty)
‘I do believe against Ipswich and Everton that Manchester United had a lot of the ball and they looked different with the ball, they had a lot of it.
‘It’s going to be interesting to see what they look like without the ball against Arsenal, out of possession.
‘If that kicks in then they’re going to be a problem.’
West Ham United FC v Arsenal FC - Premier League
Saka has scored seven goals in all competitions for the Gunners this term (Picture: Getty)
According to Wright, it is a ‘big moment’ for the likes of Martinelli, Jesus and Sterling, who he feels need to contribute over the coming weeks and months if Arsenal are to seriously challenge for the title.
‘For Martinelli, Jesus and Sterling, I think this is a really big moment at this stage of the season for them to step up if called upon to deliver something. They have to,’ he added.
‘What needs to happen, at different stages of the season if they’re called upon, they have to do it. They have to do it because for us to catch Liverpool and probably try and get away from Chelsea, the way they’re going, we’re going to need something else.
‘The main thing for us, after the first XI, it’s the people that come in to contribute. That’s what it’s gonna have to be.’
Wright believes the way Bukayo Saka continued to impress during Odegaard’s absence just underlines the forward’s quality.
‘It just shows how great Saka is because with everybody else, you could just see them fall away with Odegaard missing,’ he continued.
‘But with Saka, he just continued to do what he does and then improved when Odegaard gets back. It’s the difference.
‘It’s like Rodri with City. We lose him [Odegaard] and something’s gone. Too many things work off the back of him, he’s that main cog.’
Are Arsenal's title hopes still alive?
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