Steve Sidwell has identified a change at Arsenal that could have huge implications for the title race.
The Gunners' title hopes were dealt a blow on Friday after a third straight draw, this time against bottom-of-table Southampton.
In a turbulent encounter, Mikel Arteta's men led the relegation-threatened Saints 2-0 after just 15 minutes thanks to goals from Carlos Alcaraz and Theo Walcott.
When Gabriel Martinelli pulled back a goal before half-time, Duje Caleta-Car scored the winner for Southampton midway through the second half.
However, Arsenal eventually bounced back to claim two late goals courtesy of captain Martin Odegaard and star Bukayo Saka. With a draw and 8 minutes of injury time remaining, Emirates played madly, pressing Arsenal to win a very important victory. And while Leandro Trossard shot over the bar, the Gunners were unable to secure a worthwhile trio.
Arsenal currently have a five-point lead over nearest rivals Manchester City on Wednesday, the two-game-less team currently holding the edge in the title race.
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Game changer in title race
Speaking on BT Sport, former Fulham, Chelsea and Brighton midfielder Sidwell noted the bleak atmosphere at the Emirates full-time.
Indeed, the pundit has claimed that the lack of confidence or potential stress among Arsenal fans could be a game changer in the title race. Sidwell explains:
"The most important thing is to react to the final whistle.
"I know the game is very emotional and stressful because the goal will be scored if the game goes on for a few more minutes.
“But [full-time] it feels like the whistle hasn't sounded yet. The first time was really strange. Arsenal fans don't know how to react. "Usually when that happens, there's a bit of chanting, there's a little clapping and they're behind the team, but it's very calm and quiet.
"I was thinking 'Oh, this [tension] is now going into the fans and seeping in now'. Whereas before - Emirates this season had electricity.
"The atmosphere there was tainted in seasons before [this season] they were their mainstay. But the reaction after that, was that for the first time I thought, 'Oh, this could be weak. game changer'".
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