“Our legs are tired, but this is football” - Arsenal star makes honest admission about fatigue before Chelsea match
Arsenal centre-back William Saliba has admitted that he and his teammates are tired given the number of fixtures they have played this season. Saliba indicated, however, that being mentally fresh is more important at this stage of the campaign.
The Gunners have competed in four competitions this season, having made their return to the UEFA Champions League after seven years. They exited the FA Cup and Carabao Cup in the third and fourth rounds respectively.
However, they made it into the quarterfinals of the Champions League and are involved in a three-horse race for the Premier League title with five games to go.
Saliba, who has played in all 43 of their matches across both competitions, feels the team is tired. The Frenchman told The Standard ahead of Arsenal's league match against Chelsea (as quoted by TBR Football):
“It is a very big week, I will have an ice bath, massage and do my best, but it is more mentally. Our legs are tired, but this is football. We play with our heads, that’s it. We have to push and give everything we have. We don’t have a choice, we have to play, it’s the end of the season.
“We have to push for the last five league games and we will rest after. That’s why we are top — we have good players who don’t give up and sprint even at the last minute.”
Arsenal will welcome Chelsea to the Emirates Stadium on Tuesday, April 23, before visiting rivals Tottenham Hotspur for a north London derby five days later.
A glance at Arsenal's Premier League run-in in comparison to Manchester City and Liverpool
Ahead of their match against the Blues, Arsenal sit atop the Premier League table with 74 points from 33 matches. They are ahead of Liverpool on goal difference and one clear of Manchester City, who have a game in hand.
After their matches against Chelsea and Spurs, the Gunners will host Bournemouth on May 4. They will close out their season with matches against Manchester United at Old Trafford on May 12 and Everton at the Emirates a week later.
Liverpool, meanwhile, will take on the Toffees in a Merseyside derby on Wednesday, April 24, before visiting West Ham United three days later. The Reds will then host Spurs on May 5 before ending their season with a visit to Aston Villa (May 13) and a match against Wolverhampton Wanderers at Anfield (May 19).
Lastly, City will visit Brighton & Hove Albion on Thursday, April 25, and then take on Nottingham Forest at the City Ground three days later. Pep Guardiola's side will then host Wolves (May 4), visit Fulham (May 11) and Spurs (May 14) and end the Premier League season at home to West Ham (May 19).