Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink Issues Stark Warning for Arsenal Ahead of Chelsea Showdown
Former Chelsea star Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink has delivered a grim prediction for Arsenal, backing his old club to severely dent the Gunners' Premier League title aspirations this weekend. Hasselbaink's comments come as Arsenal prepare for one of their most challenging fixtures in the season's final stretch.
Arsenal's Title Momentum Faces Stern Test
Arsenal recently reinforced their position at the summit of the Premier League table with a commanding 4-1 victory over Tottenham in the north London derby. This result extended their lead to five points with only ten matches remaining. However, Manchester City retain a game in hand, setting the stage for a tense title race. The two contenders are also scheduled to clash in the Carabao Cup final in March, with a potentially decisive league encounter at the Etihad Stadium looming in April.
Chelsea's Capability to Disrupt Highlighted
Despite Chelsea's recent struggles, including a disappointing home draw against Burnley, Hasselbaink remains confident in their ability to upset top teams. "Chelsea are a strange kind of team, they will go out to a big team and get a result, get a draw or get a win. They can do that. That's just how they are. We have seen it," he stated during an interview with Sky Sports. He emphasized that the upcoming match against Chelsea will be significantly more difficult for Arsenal than their derby triumph over Tottenham.
Hasselbaink pointed to Chelsea's previous performances this season as evidence of their threat. The Blues managed to secure a draw against Arsenal at Stamford Bridge in August and similarly held Manchester City to a stalemate at the Etihad in January. Arsenal's home form has been robust, with only one loss to Manchester United, but draws against City and Liverpool demonstrate their vulnerability against elite opposition.
Potential Title Race Implications
The former striker speculated that a Chelsea upset could dramatically alter the title landscape. "I think that game for Arsenal will be so much harder than the Spurs game. Then maybe they [Arsenal and City] are both on the same points. Then we see who is up for it," he remarked. This scenario would intensify pressure on Mikel Arteta's squad as they navigate the season's climax.
Arsenal's recent 2-2 draw against Wolves, where they surrendered a two-goal advantage, highlighted potential frailties. Hasselbaink noted that while he dismissed Tottenham's chances in the derby, he anticipates a far sterner challenge from Chelsea. Nevertheless, he maintains that Arsenal remain the favorites for the title, praising their squad depth and resilience. "I do think they are the favorites and I do think they are going to win it, they have the strongest squad," he concluded, while still foreseeing a possible stumble this weekend.
The clash at the Emirates Stadium promises to be a pivotal moment in the Premier League season, with Hasselbaink's prediction adding intrigue to an already high-stakes fixture.
