Dimitar Berbatov has backed Arsenal to pull off a shock victory over Chelsea in their Boxing Day showdown.
The Gunners are without a domestic win since a 1-0 win at Manchester United on November 1 and sit 15th in the Premier League table heading into the London derby this weekend.
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Things got even worse for the Gunners on Tuesday night, as they were hammered 4-1 by Manchester City – Arteta’s former employers – to crash out of the Carabao Cup quarter-finals.
Many fans are calling for the Spaniard to leave following their slump in form, but Berbatov is adamant he is the right man for the job.
“Arsenal are in real trouble but I still think Mikel Arteta can turn things around at the Emirates,” Berbatov told Betfair.
“Last week, I said Arteta deserved more time but since then they suffered two more defeats – admittedly in difficult matches away to Everton in the Premier League and in the Carabao Cup quarter-final against Manchester City.
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“The Gunners are showing some fight on the pitch, but they are still not playing anywhere near the level demanded of them.
“Arteta is a young coach and you could say he was lucky to get the opportunity to manage Arsenal.
“I support those kind of appointments because I know how difficult it is for young coaches to get their chance to show what they can do.
“Arteta came to Arsenal at a difficult moment for the club and he needs more time to turn it around.
“His old boss Pep Guardiola has said Arteta shouldn’t be fired and I’m not going to argue with Pep.”
The former Tottenham striker added: “Arsenal need to pick themselves up quickly for their big Boxing Day clash against Chelsea.
“I can see a surprise result here, with the Gunners winning.
“Their fortunes have to change at some point and a London derby, against the team they beat in last season’s FA Cup final, could give them the motivation to raise their game.”
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