New West Brom manager Sam Allardyce insists he considers crisis-stricken Arsenal as genuine relegation rivals this season as things stand.
The Gunners have made their worst start to a top-flight campaign since 1974 and a 2-1 defeat at Everton - which was swiftly followed by a 4-1 Carabao Cup quarter-final thrashing at the hands of Manchester City - left them 15th and only four points above the relegation zone.
That was Arsenal’s eighth league loss of the season already, while they have won just four of their opening 14 games to heap pressure on under-fire boss Mikel Arteta ahead of a tricky London derby against Chelsea on Boxing Day.
Despite Arteta himself admitting that Arsenal need to be careful to avoid a proper relegation battle and the Spaniard’s players looking consistently bereft of confidence, many still find it implausible that a club of such stature could genuinely run the risk of dropping out of the Premier League.
However, Allardyce - whose team entertain Arsenal at The Hawthorns in their first fixture of 2021 - insists that their lowly position in the standings makes them a real candidate for relegation, regardless of reputation or any presumed recovery to come.
"If they are in the bottom eight at the moment, yes. Absolutely,” the former England manager said when asked if Arsenal were a relegation rival.
He added: “Getting beaten again [Tuesday] night - even though it is not in the league - as it does with our players, drains the confidence of Arsenal's players. Of course it will.
"They will be wondering what's hit them, they will be wondering why they are down there. They will be wondering what it's going to take to get out of that position. I know what it takes, I hope I can convince the players to respond to what I say on what it takes to get out of it.
"I hope that we can push at Arsenal when they play us because they have a lack of confidence, and try and beat them or anybody in the bottom eight.”
West Brom currently lie seven points and four places behind Arsenal in 19th after picking up just one win from their opening 14 games since promotion back to the top-flight.
The reign of Allardyce - who was appointed on an 18-month contract last week following the dismissal of Slaven Bilic - began in disastrous fashion on Sunday as Jake Livermore was sent off in a 3-0 home defeat by Midlands rivals Aston Villa.
The Baggies face difficult fixtures against Leeds and leaders Liverpool over the festive period ahead of that visit of Arsenal on January 2.
