The Gunners have made their worst begin to a top-flight marketing campaign since 1974 and a 2-1 defeat at Everton – which was swiftly adopted by a 4-1 Carabao Cup quarter-final thrashing by the hands of Manchester Metropolis – left them fifteenth and solely 4 factors above the relegation zone.
That was Arsenal’s eighth league lack of the season already, whereas they’ve received simply 4 of their opening 14 video games to heap stress on under-fire boss Mikel Arteta forward of a tough London derby in opposition to Chelsea on Boxing Day.
Regardless of Arteta himself admitting that Arsenal must be cautious to keep away from a correct relegation battle and the Spaniard’s gamers trying persistently bereft of confidence, many nonetheless discover it implausible {that a} membership of such stature may genuinely run the danger of dropping out of the Premier League.
Nonetheless, Allardyce – whose workforce entertain Arsenal at The Hawthorns of their first fixture of 2021 – insists that their lowly place within the standings makes them an actual candidate for relegation, no matter status or any presumed restoration to come back.
“If they’re within the backside eight in the meanwhile, sure. Completely,” the previous England supervisor mentioned when requested if Arsenal have been a relegation rival.
He added: “Getting overwhelmed once more [Tuesday] night time – despite the fact that it’s not within the league – because it does with our gamers, drains the boldness of Arsenal’s gamers. In fact it is going to.
“They are going to be questioning what’s hit them, they are going to be questioning why they’re down there. They are going to be questioning what it’ll take to get out of that place. I do know what it takes, I hope I can persuade the gamers to reply to what I say on what it takes to get out of it.
“I hope that we will push at Arsenal once they play us as a result of they’ve a insecurity, and try to beat them or anyone within the backside eight.”
West Brom at the moment lie seven factors and 4 locations behind Arsenal in nineteenth after choosing up only one win from their opening 14 video games since promotion again to the top-flight.
The reign of Allardyce – who was appointed on an 18-month contract final week following the dismissal of Slaven Bilic – started in disastrous style on Sunday as Jake Livermore was despatched off in a 3-0 residence defeat by Midlands rivals Aston Villa.
The Baggies face tough fixtures in opposition to Leeds and leaders Liverpool over the festive interval forward of that go to of Arsenal on January 2.