Failure to beat Bournemouth at the Emirates on Saturday would “be a disaster” for Arsenal, according to defender Nacho Monreal.
The Gunners head into the Premier League clash sitting in an unfamiliar position of 16th in the table, albeit after only three games of the new season.
However, Arsene Wenger’s side have lost their last two league matches without scoring, including a 4-0 hiding against Liverpool at Anfield in their last contest before the recent international break.
All of which makes this weekend’s encounter with the Cherries – who have also endured a tough start to the campaign after losing their first three Premier League encounters – a must-win fixture, says Monreal.
“We did not expect to lose as we did,” he said. “You can play against Liverpool away and lose this game as they are a really strong team with good players, but we can’t play as we played.
“We need to improve a lot – our target is to win the Premier League and obviously we can’t win it if we play like we did against Liverpool.
“Now we have to improve and on Saturday we have a new opportunity and we need to get the three points. So I hope the team is OK and we can win, get confidence and keep winning.
“It is too soon to speak if we can, or can’t win the Premier League. We have only played three games, we only have three points, we have six points less than Man United, but now we are only thinking about Bournemouth.
“Win this game, get the three points and keep looking forward. Obviously, if we do not win, it will be a disaster for us.
“But I am completely confident that we are going to win this game because the players in the team are completely focussed and obviously I hope we get the three points.”
To get back to winning ways, Monreal says, Arsenal need to tighten up at the back after the north London club shipped eight goals in just their first three Premier League games.
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