Arsenal News Nation

Cesar Azpilicueta has warned his Chelsea FC team-mates not to underestimate the threat posed by Arsenal despite the Gunners’ poor Premier League form.
The north London side have struggled to find consistent form in the Premier League this season and they currently find themselves closer to the relegation zone than the top four after having lost eight of their opening 14 games.

The Gunners were dumped out of the League Cup by Manchester City on Tuesday night and they will now turn their attentions towards their home clash against Chelsea FC at The Emirates on Boxing Day in the Premier League.

Arsenal were 2-1 winners over Chelsea FC in the FA Cup final back in August as the Gunners won their first major trophy under Mikel Arteta.

Azpilicueta has told his Chelsea FC team-mates that they must “respect” their opponents at The Emirates as they look to claim a victory over their London rivals.

Speaking in an interview with Chelsea FC’s website, Azpilicueta said: “We were obviously disappointed with that result [the FA Cup final defeat] but now we’re four months later, it’s a different competition and a new game.

“They are not in their best form but we know their qualities and that they have dangerous players so we have to cope with that.

“We respect them and we know it’s going to be tough but we need points so hopefully we can go there and play our game.

“We have the confidence and belief to do that and obviously we will try to get the points.”

Chelsea FC will take on Aston Villa at home in their next Premier League game after their trip to The Emirates.

Arsenal are allegedly monitoring the progress of Slavia Prague attacker Abdallah Sima, who has been dubbed the ‘new Thierry Henry’.

The 19-year-old winger, who has 13 goals in 18 games this term, has attracted plenty of attention with his showings for the Czech outfit this season.
Italian giants Juventus are also understood to be tracking the impressive Senegalese talent, as reported in the Express.

Abdallah has been valued at a whopping £50m by Slavia club president Jaroslav Tvrdik.
Sima was also dubbed the ‘new Thierry Henry’, according to a recent report by Calciomercato.

It’s reported that scouts from the north London giants and the Old Lady have ‘put his name on their notebooks’.

However, at this stage, it remains to be seen if any concrete proposals will be made.

Despite the Gunners’ interest, it would appear that Bianconeri hold the upper hand given the struggles Arsenal have had this season.

Mikel Arteta’s side currently sit 15th in the Premier League standings, with just four wins from 13 matches.

There have been calls for Mikel to lose his job, although his men did battle to a draw with Southampton.

But if Arsenal fail to improve their season dramatically then Abdallah is likely to head to Italy instead.

Meantime, Arsenal have recalled right-back, Zak Swanson, from his disappointing season-long loan at Dutch outfit MVV Maastricht.

The 20-year-old defender struggled for regular playing time and the Gunners have reportedly acted quickly to bring the temporary spell to an end.

According to Football Insider, Zak is already back at the Gunners after appearing in just three matches for MVV Maastricht.

Arsenal are hoping that the talent’s injury woes are behind him and there are plans to send the player out on loan again in January.