Marco: No Euro race anxieties
MARCO SILVA insists that there is no pressure on his Fulham players as the race for Europe intensifies.
The Cottagers are in the hunt for a top-seven finish.
Victory against leaders Arsenal today will only ramp up hopes of a return to continental competition for the west Londoners – for the first time since a Europa League groupstage exit in 2011-12.
But Silva said: “We don’t feel any of this pressure.
“If we have been doing so well, and if we are in a position to be proud of, we should just feel a really privileged group of players.
“I don’t see any pressure in that — it’s a word that doesn’t go inside our dressing room at all, and the players don’t need to feel any pressure.
“They have to be proud and really enjoy the challenge, what is the pressure that they can be under right now?”
Silva might not feel the weight of expectation, but Arsenal are certain to, as they hunt a first Premier League title since 2004.
The Portuguese boss added: “Arsenal have been really consistent. That’s one of the things that has probably changed most from one season to the next.
“They signed some key players and some of them came with that leadership that says you need to win every single game – they got some players who were used to doing that.
“Without quality, you cannot be as consistent as they have been. They are a very good side and deserve to be where they are.
“Many, many credits for Mikel Arteta as well for the way that they reacted to tough times. He kept the belief last season in some difficult periods, he had the support of everyone and that belief as well.
“That they are where they are right now is a very good thing.”