Nemanja Matic has stressed the significance of staying mentally strong when we take on Arsenal at the Emirates tomorrow.
We head to north London 10 points clear of the Gunners after four consecutive league victories. Our hosts are on a good run of their own, having won eight on the spin, and Matic is taking nothing for granted despite our impressive victory against another in-form side, Manchester United, last weekend.
‘Every game is different, but this is a big derby, a special one for us and our fans and a very important one for both teams,’ the 26-year-old told the club's official newsletter.
‘They are in second position and it will be very hard for us because they are at home and are in a good moment. We won one big match against Manchester United but when the Arsenal game starts we forget what we did before.
‘I don’t know if we will be the same as against Manchester United, we will have to see. We have to be physical, that is very important, but also it is important to be strong mentally, especially at this part of the season. Normally players are not in good physical condition like at the beginning of the season, so you need mental strength.
‘Being in the gym has nothing to do with football, of course you have your exercises but lifting 200kg doesn’t mean you will be strong on the pitch, you also have to be quick and think quickly as well,’ he explained.
‘We are close to the title, what we have worked for and we know if we win the next two games we are champions, but there are six games to go - we will try as soon as possible, it is difficult though, and the most important thing is that when the season finishes we are in first position.’
It has been five years since we last lifted the Premier League, when Matic was in his first Chelsea spell. He appeared as a substitute in our final game of 2009/10 – his third appearance that season – as we routed Wigan 8-0. If we can repeat the trick this time around, and finish as England’s finest once more, the Serbian admits it would provide him with plenty more satisfaction.
‘Of course, because when I first came here I didn’t play many games, and now I have played almost every game,’ he reasoned. ‘It would be special for me, and a bigger feeling than in 2010 for sure.’
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