Mikel Arteta needs urgent Arsenal meeting with duo ahead of key Chelsea clash

Arsenal take on Chelsea this weekend in what for many is a title-deciding game but for sadly all the wrong reasons. Rather than being a clash to solidify the club’s hopes of winning the Premier League it is to instead keep them alive at all.

The form of the club has been very disappointing and Mikel Arteta finds his team winless in three and yet to win a league game since the end of the last international break. With the next one coming after the conclusion of this weekend, ensuring that a victory is secured has more than just the benefit of three points.

During the lull in form, several players have been unable to reach their usual levels. Arteta addressed the media on Friday and explained he had held a meeting with the group.

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"When you don't win it affects the mood and energy but the positive thing is that it is impossible that anyone in this room or outside wants to win more than I do, and these guys in the dressing room want to do. Today I had a meeting with them about it and I can sense it straight away," he said.

"What I sense as well is a big belief about how good we are as a team, and again what we did in Milan watching it back twice, I hadn't seen my team doing that against them."

Yet there are perhaps two players who need more one-on-one conversations with the coach to lift their spirits or even bring them down to Earth. The first is Leandro Trossard who has been used as a deputy for Martin Odegaard but with frustrating outcomes.

The Belgian is yet to lodge a goal or an assist since the 2-0 win over PSG at the start of October. While a quality player who scored a vital goal at Aston Villa already this season, the interior role has hamstrung his game.

His celebration at Villa appeared quite pointed, with many suggesting that it was a message to the manager to start him rather than relying on his skills from the bench. But after starting several games, he has failed to deliver.

Therefore having him return to the bench this weekend, at a ground he scored when coming on as a substitute last season, is definitely a preferred option. That said, he may need some convincing.

The second player is one instead who needs a lift, Gabriel Jesus. With Gabriel Martinelli also struggling, both he and Trossard could be chosen to be the impact players in the game.

Jesus scored his first goal since January in the 3-0 win over Preston. He is yet to notch again but after he came on against Inter Milan, the Gunners were more threatening.

He needs a lift, he needs some man-management. He enjoyed one of his best performances at Stamford Bridge two years ago and perhaps it could be the time to revive his career again.