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Former Chelsea star Tony Cascerino fears Arsenal will need a helping hand from his old side if they are to pip Manchester City to the Premier League title.
The Gunners remain in a commanding position given they hold a nine-point lead, albeit having played a game more, but successive cup defeats has put an entirely different complexion on the run-in.
Mikel Arteta had hoped that the Carabao Cup final would provide an opportunity to end a six-year silverware trophy doubts but a 2-0 loss has instead seen fresh doubts creep in and provided City with fresh impetus.
Pep Guardiola’s side turn in an ominous display against Liverpool on Saturday, romping to a 4-0 win, and would have taken fresh belief from the way in which a disjointed Arsenal team saw their FA Cup hopes go up in smoke against Southampton.
Arsenal are back in Champions League action in midweek against Sporting Lisbon before they resume their Premier League campaign against Bournemouth at home on Saturday lunchtime.
A win there would see them extend their lead, temporarily at least to 12 points, before City face Chelsea at Stamford Bridge 24 hours later.
With Arsenal’s trip to the Etihad also on the horizon, Cascarino believes extgending their current lead this coming weekend could prove to be essential if the north London club are to finally end their wait for the title.
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He told talkSPORT: ‘I would say if you ask me today and Arsenal have to go to the Etihad and get a victory, I think City will beat them.
‘I think eight out 10 times at the moment City would beat Arsenal.
‘I think it’s really important that Chelsea who City play next away that Chelsea get some sort of result for Arsenal.
‘I think they need a bit more help from other teams. I don’t see Arsenal winning every game, I just don’t.
‘I think all Arsenal fans will be shell-shocked today at what they’ve witnessed. There a good side, we know they are.
‘They’ve led the way all season but for this period of the season to then look vulnerable that would be a concern.’
After talk of a quadruple gathered pace last month, Arsenal are now contemplating the unthinkable and another trophyless season following the upset at St Mary’s.
‘We have the most important period in both competitions ahead of us, and it’s now the moment when you have a difficult moment in the season, to show what we are made of – and it is now we have to show who we are,’ said Arteta after Shea Charles’ late goal condemned his side to back-to-back defeat for the first time this term.
‘Obviously, we’re very disappointed. We wanted to get back to Wembley as quickly as possible, and we haven’t managed to do that – so first of all, congratulations to Southampton for being there.
‘The game had moments, we had moments, where we had a lot of dominance from our side, and chances, and situations in and around the box that we didn’t capitalise on enough.
‘And then we have to accept we were poor in and around our box defending situations that normally we are excellent at. We paid the price.’
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