Hector Bellerín thinks Arsenal can emulate Chelsea this year and go on to win the title despite the poor start to the campaign.
The 22-year-old is confident Arsenal can still go all the way in the race this season, telling the International Business Times: “If we did not think that we could win the title, what we would we be doing here? It would not make any sense. We train every day very hard to be able to win the Premier League. It has only been two bad games.
“Look at how Chelsea began last season and how they ended up winning the title. It doesn’t only matter how you start but to be consistent. Manchester City started very well and then faded out. The important thing is to be consistent throughout the season.We have had two bad games but we now have six points and we have to look forward.”
Bellerín’s right that the players have to keep believing that they can make a challenge this season, especially this early on. For a start, it’s better to aim for the league title and end up in the top-four, rather than to aim for the top-four and end up back in the Europa League again next year, or worse.
Belief is one of the things that can help deliver titles. Leicester City clearly had it in 2015/16 when they went all the way against all odds. They struggled a year later, with expectations tamed dramatically due to their Champions League campaign, which may have led to their toils in the league in 2016/17.
Of course, there are many other factors involved with winning the league, but a confident run of wins would put the Gunners in a very strong position in the table. It would also give the dressing room a major boost going into big games, having a real chance to end their 13-year wait for major silverware.