Malouda Wants Positive Chelsea Reaction Against Arsenal

English Premier League:

Handicap

Arsenal vs Chelsea

0 : 0

Over / Under 2 1/4

The French winger wants the Blues to respond to Wednesday's defeat by showing their true quality against the Gunners.

Florent Malouda is certainly keeping a positive mindset despite Chelsea's controversial Champions League exit at the hands of Barcelona on Wednesday night. The Blues lost on away goals after the tie, which was inflamed by some questionable officiating, ended 1-1 after two legs, but the Frenchman wants to see a positive response to the defeat in Sunday's London derby against Arsenal.

"We have to stay positive, now it is over we can't do anything against this feeling of being robbed, and we still have to carry on for the club, for ourselves and the fans," he told the club's official website.

"Everybody wants to see our reaction and we have to react as great players. We have to show that even if people think we just play physically that we have quality, as we have already shown many times.

"We have to finish well for the fans, we have big games and now we are going to the Emirates, the perfect place with a big game to show we deserve to be in the final. Our fans were fantastic all season and we have to do it for them also.

Advertisement - article continues below »

"I think Arsenal will want to take their revenge because they have lost 3-1 at home in an important game. They will want to show it was a mistake but we are coming and have also lost and are disappointed. This is the league and with the normal rules I hope it will be a great football game and the best team will win."

Chelsea are on a run of ten games unbeaten, and would still like to finish above second-placed Liverpool in the Premier League this season. Malouda concluded by asserting that as far as his side were concerned, there was still enough to play for to keep them motivated.

"There is a small gap between Chelsea and Arsenal and I think we are playing for second place. I think to be first is too far with just three games, so we have to be realistic about that, but we have a challenge because we want to finish in front of Liverpool. You have to set targets and try to achieve them, so that is it no," he concluded.

( Zack Wilson / Goal )