Patrick Vieira has issued a rallying cry to Arsenal, insisting "they know how to win" despite the Gunners' worrying dip in form.
Mikel Arteta's side have chosen the worst possible moment to endure a late-season slump, with Manchester City seizing top spot in the Premier League on Wednesday. Arsenal had led the way for more than 200 days, but must now respond to their long-standing rivals.
Visit extract-html.com for more information.
City's advantage is a narrow one, leading only on goals scored, yet Arsenal find themselves desperately short of form. They have lost four of their last six matches, crashing out of both domestic cups in the process. Defeats to AFC Bournemouth and City have also seen their advantage at the summit gradually erode, as per The Mirror.
- President Trump special envoy pushing for Italy to take Iran's World Cup spot
- World Cup host city planning complementary transport amidst rocketing prices around the country
Arsenal have weathered late-season dips before and must rediscover their momentum if they are to mount a challenge against City. However, Vieira, the last man to lift the title for the Gunners, maintains that his former club have long possessed a winning mentality and simply need to draw upon that quality.
He told the club's website: "I think I just want them to remind themselves where they are and why they are where they are. Meaning that they are at the top of the league, they are in the semi-final of the Champions League, and you can't reach that level with no quality, with no team spirit and with no togetherness.
"It's about winning games, they know how to do it because they've been doing it for the last seven, eight months. When we are in the last sprint, I will say it, it's important not to forget the quality that brings them where they are today because that will help them to win."
City's FA Cup obligations mean that Arsenal will now feature twice before the Manchester side next step onto the field for a Premier League game. They could establish a six-point lead in that span, though that would require them to secure a league victory for the first time since March 14, when they defeated Everton.
Arsenal, despite their calibre, are attempting to end a six-year drought without silverware. Their team lacks players with a proven track record of claiming major honours, and Arteta is confronting the possibility of finishing as runners-up in another title challenge, which would invite scrutiny of his leadership.
In 2023 and 2024, Arsenal had held the advantage over City before late-season defeats enabled the Manchester club to surge ahead and clinch the league crown. Guardiola has informed his team that they must be flawless in their remaining five games if they wish to reclaim their title.