PERFECT TENSE

Saliba relishing challenge of a flawless run-in to glory

- BY JOHN CROSS

WILLIAM SALIBA wants Arsenal to “embrace the pressure” of the title race.

And with 10 games to go, the Gunners are 10 steps from glory and their first Premier League crown in 22 years.

The first comes against Chelsea at the Emirates on Sunday - and that should be a good omen for Arsenal, who have been relentless when it comes to London derbies.

Last Sunday's 4-1 thrashing of Tottenham took the Gunners' record to 18 wins, six draws and just one defeat from their past 25 games against other sides from the capital.

Their record against Chelsea is even more impressive, as Arsenal last lost to the Blues in August 2021 and they have played 10 times since then.

And they finish the season with three of their last five games at home and three of their last four are London derbies against Fulham, West Ham and Crystal Palace.

Their only away game against a team in the top half of the table is their trip to Manchester City, which will clearly have a huge say, but ultimately might not be decisive.

That is why Arsenal feel as if they will never have a better chance after reasserting some authority in the title race with that emphatic win at Tottenham.