Pat Nevin has told the Chelsea players they do not need to fear Arsenal during the Europa League final in Baku this month.
Maurizio Sarri’s men booked their Europa League final meeting with Arsenal, courtesy of a nervy win over Eintracht Frankfurt on penalties at Stamford Bridge, last week.
The Blues finished third in the Premier League this term and have already booked their berth in the Champions League for next season, unlike Arsenal.
And ahead of the Europa League showdown between the sides, Nevin has told the Chelsea players they do not need to fear Arsenal in Baku.
The Chelsea legend admitted the Blues must respect Arsenal, but reminded the players they have enjoyed a better finish to the season than the Gunners.
Nevin also added he is hopeful the players can shake off fatigue issues for the final and reiterated Chelsea must walk into the stadium with confidence in their capabilities.
“I’m hoping the tiredness that has been evident in some of the players will have been overcome by the time we get to Azerbaijan”, Nevin wrote in his column for the club’s official website.
“If we can walk out into that stadium and be somewhere close to our best there is no need to fear Arsenal.
“Respect them and their strikers in particular yes, but fear them? No.
“Look at the league table, look at our end to the season which was far from perfect, but in comparison to theirs it was better.
“Yes, we should absolutely believe it is well within our capabilities.”
Chelsea will be eyeing spoiling Arsenal’s last chance of qualifying for the Champions League next season with a win in Baku.
