Arsenal's title winning left-back Nigel Winterburn says the players must keep fighting even with their title hopes now out of their hands.
Defeat last week at Manchester City, coupled with City's win at Fulham on Sunday, has seen the Sky Blues usurp Arsenal at the top of the table.
However, the Gunners can wrest back the lead with victory over Chelsea tonight and Winterburn says the players must not allow recent results to dictate how they approach Tuesday's game.
On behalf of Free Bets, Winterburn told Tribalfootball.com: "A lot of people think the title race is over - and if Manchester City continue to play like that, then you'd have to agree.
"But what Arsenal must not do is allow the season to peter out. We're going to find a lot about our young team - which has improved dramatically this season. We don't want the team to finish like it did last season - and I'm sure that won't happen.
"You just need to produce some big performances from now to the end of the season. And if Manchester City slip up - and it's a big 'if'- then it's important Arsenal are there to hound them all the way to the finishing line.
"But it's going to very hard to live with them."
On why the Gunners collapsed as they did at the Etihad, Winterburn felt the dropped points against West Ham and Southampton took their toll.
He continued: "It was a combination of mentally the setbacks against West Ham and Southampton. 2-0 up at West Ham, should've been 3-1 up, and you draw 2-2. Also you allow Southampton to score three goals at your home. Mentally, it's going to affect you.
"Then you're going to a City which has dominated the English game for five years and were coming into their peak time of the season."
The former England fullback added, "I've never seen Arsenal's back four pulled around like that this season. They were second best in every department."
