Hull City cannot afford to go to Arsenal with any level of fear, according to ex-Tigers man Robert Snodgrass, who says his old club must go to the Emirates and compete.
The Tigers head to north London looking to cause a major Premier League surprise, with boss Sergej Jakirovic saying his team cannot afford to become sitting ducks.
That’s a message echoed by Snodgrass, who was absent through injury the last time City scored at the Emirates in 2014, and wants to see his former club be positive against Mikel Arteta’s champions, with Oli McBurnie backed to play a pivotal role.
Often teams are beaten before they get off the team coach against some of the biggest teams in the league, but Snodgrass says that cannot be the case with the Tigers, who must be bullish about their chances and have belief that they can get something.
“Hull have bounced back strong. Their recruitment process, getting players on free transfers and adding quality lads to the fold, has been great,” the ex-Tigers man told Boyle Sports.
“They’re striving and doing really, really well. It’s a great start to the Premier League with that no-fear attitude. I really like the manager, he has a great relationship with the players and instils a fearless mentality. I love that because fear in the Premier League is what kills you. Hull will believe they can score against anyone. The problem against the champions is that fear often makes you lose before you start.
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“You can run twelve kilometres and work hard, but if you approach it purely not to lose rather than to win, you won’t get anywhere. Having the mindset to go out and compete earns respect from opponents, showing them you’ll push them all the way.
“Sitting in a low block is necessary at times, but Hull have the quality to score goals against the Premier League elite. I don’t know how the manager will approach it, but I’d view it as a free hit, going there with the belief that you can compete for three points in any Premier League fixture.”
Central to their hopes of getting a positive result against the Gunners could well be striker Oli McBurnie, who has netted two in his last two Premier League outings. Snodgrass believes that recent goal return will give the Scotland international added confidence and a platform to perform on the biggest stage.
“They’ve got a number nine up top in Oli McBurnie who looks like he’s really finding his feet in the Premier League and enjoying that main man status,” he added. “Oli McBurnie has proved he can score goals everywhere he’s been. He’s a great lad to have around the place, has matured a lot, and has experience leading the line in the Premier League.”
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