Martin Keown reckons Arsenal will have their work cut out against Chelsea on Saturday, although neither team are currently at the top of their game.

The former Gunner believes the Blues’ 4-0 win against Israeli team, Maccabi Tel Avivis, is just what they needed to boost their confidence and that the match is now a completely different affair for Arsenal, who previously weren’t under as much pressure.

Arsenal lost 2-1 mid-week to Dinamo Zagreb in a match Gooners everywhere will want to forget. Bizarre defending for both goals highlighted issues that many thought were dead and buried and a red card for Olivier Giroud put a team already struggling with 11 players down to 10.

“Both teams’ confidence is brittle going into this,” Keown pointed out.

“Chelsea will feel that they are bouncing back – suddenly this has become a different game for Arsenal.

“It’s then how they apply themselves. They got a drubbing in early kick-offs at Anfield and Chelsea, and there can’t be any hangover even though they’ll come back late from Zagreb.”

The less said about our track record with early kick-offs the better…

Theo Walcott of Arsenal hurdles a challenge from John Terry of Chelsea during the FA Community Shield match between Chelsea and Arsenal
LONDON, ENGLAND – AUGUST 02: Theo Walcott of Arsenal hurdles a challenge from John Terry of Chelsea during the FA Community Shield match between Chelsea and Arsenal at Wembley Stadium on August 2, 2015 in London, England. (Photo by Mike Hewitt/Getty Images)

The Premier League clash at Stamford Bridge is the perfect chance for us to show what we’re made of and get one over on Chelsea. However, Keown knows they won’t go down without a fight.

“Mourinho’s team will start like a house on fire,” Keown continued. “Victory rescues their season.

“Arsenal don’t want Mourinho talking afterwards about how special he is again and how Arsenal have failed again.

“Wenger needs to create that urgency that their season hinges on this match.”

So essentially Keown wants Arsenal to beat the Blues so Jose Mourinho will shut up. Hopefully we can make the former Gunner happy.