Cesc told the Planet Premier League podcast: "It shouldn't (affect the players) but unfortunately, mentally, it works this way.
"I see Arsenal at the moment as too strong. I see them confident.
"I know they lost against Porto, but I think in the Premier League nowadays they are two levels up and I believe that they know exactly what they're doing.
"I'm sure they believe, and they're pushing from the staff point of view to win this game more than anything because these games win titles.
"It's very different to go in my day to Stoke City on Saturday three o'clock then Monday night football.
"We go back to perceptions, to the humidity, the night time to approach the games, the travelling, the long wait for the game, these little things, knowing exactly what the opponents have done.
"If they have won they put pressure on you.
"There's a bit of everything but, at the moment, I see Arsenal a little bit too strong to be dropping points there."