Gabby Agbonlahor believes it is ‘unacceptable’ for Chelsea to be 16 points off their London rivals, Arsenal. He also feels Graham Potter is under pressure just to claim a top-four finish.
Arsenal and Chelsea have played 15 Premier League games so far this term after resuming their campaigns following the World Cup. But while Mikel Arteta’s men top the table after beating West Ham United on Monday, Potter’s squad sits in just eighth place with 24 points.
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At the 15-game stage of last season, Chelsea were third and just two points behind leaders Manchester City. Arsenal, in contrast, were in seventh with just 23 points. But the Gunners now find themselves leading the top-flight with 40 points having won in 13 of their games.
No team has lost fewer times so far this season than the Gunners, either, having only been beaten once. While Chelsea have lost a third of their fixtures and drawn in a further three. The Blues lost twice in six games under Thomas Tuchel before hiring Potter in September.
Potter signed a five-year contract at Stamford Bridge to leave Brighton & Hove Albion and replace Tuchel. But the Blues’ 2-0 win over AFC Bournemouth on Tuesday was only their fourth win in nine under the 47-year-old. It also snapped a five-league-match winless run.
Agbonlahor feels Potter cannot allow Chelsea’s gap to Arsenal to remain intact
Chelsea won their first three games under Potter but had not won since beating Aston Villa 2-0 on October 16. Their five-match winless run also included a 1-0 loss at home to Arsenal on November 6. Gabriel Magalhaes poked home the only goal from Bukayo Saka’s corner.
Arsenal continuing their fine form with a win over West Ham on Monday ensured Chelsea remain 16 points adrift of the top of the table. A situation that Agbonlahor feels the Blues cannot allow with Potter possibly under pressure just to secure a Champions League spot.
“For Chelsea, that was a must-win,” Agbonlahor told talkSPORT. “If you look at the table, they’re 16 points behind Arsenal. That is unacceptable to be 16 points behind Arsenal.
“If you look at the top four at the moment, they’re six points behind Spurs [and] Fulham are two points behind them. Yesterday was a must-win because if they didn’t, they don’t look like finishing in the top six, let alone the top four.
“The pressure is on for these teams because Newcastle aren’t going anywhere, Brighton aren’t going anywhere. To get in the top four this season is a massive achievement for every team besides maybe Manchester City. It’s crazy.”
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