Forget about Gunners - Ranieri

Chelsea boss Claudio Ranieri has told his players to forget about Arsenal and concentrate on their own performance at Highbury tomorrow.

The Blues face a tricky task as they attempt to make up for two disappointing games over the past week with a New Year’s Day victory at the home of the champions.

Chelsea first slipped up as they were held to a goalless draw by Southampton on St Stephen's Day and then suffered a 2-0 defeat at the hands of Leeds two days later.

Those results have seen Ranieri’s side fall five points behind leaders Arsenal but the Italian has urged his players not to think too much about the gap.

He told the Evening Standard: “Our battle is not against Arsenal, but against ourselves. Everyone likes to put Arsenal and Chelsea together, but we’re only concerned with our own performance.

“The points difference now is not important. Chelsea is Chelsea and we shouldn’t be thinking about Arsenal, Manchester United or Liverpool.

“Last season, we got 64 points and we have to get more points this season. So the challenge is against ourselves. It’s better to keep close to Arsenal, but the difference does not matter at the moment.”