West Brom coach Sam Allardyce poked fun at his old rivals Arsenal on Wednesday, saying the Gunners are in danger of relegation.
Arsenal languish in 15th place in the Premier League after their worst start to the season since 1974-75.
Mikel Arteta’s team is just four points out of the relegation zone and was beaten 4-1 by Manchester City in the League Cup quarter-finals on Tuesday.
Albion is second from the bottom with seven points, five drifting from safety, and will host Arsenal on January 2 in what Allardyce believes will be a crucial relegation matchup.
When asked if he considered Arsenal as rivals in the fight to avoid the loss, Allardyce said: “If they are in the bottom eight right now, yes, absolutely.
“They have only won maybe one in the last 10 or so, and it seems their great results have come in the Europa League.
“And of course being beaten again last night (Tuesday), even if it is not in the league, as it is with our players, it drains the confidence of the Arsenal players, of course it will.
“Because they may be wondering what hit them, why are they down there and what it will take to get out of that position.”
Allardyce used to compete with former Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger whenever his teams faced the Gunners.
A veteran of several successful fights to avoid relegation in his long coaching career, Allardyce is confident he can save West Brom, potentially at Arsenal’s expense.
“I know what it takes, I hope I can convince the players to respond to what I say about what it takes to get out of there, and I hope we can put pressure on Arsenal when they face us because they lack confidence and try to beat them, or any of the last eight, ”Allardyce said.
