"We have seen this before" - Former Arsenal captain challenges Mikel Arteta's players as he claims 'great teams don't always win titles'
Former Arsenal star Gilberto Silva has urged Mikel Arteta and Co. to go the extra mile and win trophies. He conceded that not all great teams win titles, but the players needed to give an extra push and play every game like it was a final.
Speaking to The Sun, Silva talked about how the Gunners have shown great spirit but failed to go all the way under Arteta. He said:
“Arsenal have great players, they are a great team. But great teams do not always win titles. We have seen this before. Sometimes giving 100 per cent is not enough. You need to have something extra to put on the table — an extra ten per cent. And that extra comes from your heart and mind. You have to have a strong heart. You have to leave everything on the field.
"Mikel’s (Arteta) players have shown great spirit, but if they want to win they need to give a bit more than they have because they are up against very big competitors. They have to be better than them on the field, in their minds and in their hearts — in every game. So every game is a final now. Every day is one to battle and not let your opponents be better than you.”
Arsenal have not won a silverware since winning the FA Cup in 2020, just months after Arteta took over as the manager. They have finished second in the Premier League in the last two seasons, falling short of Manchester City.
Mikel Arteta warned he needs to win titles at Arsenal
Lee Dixon believes Mikel Arteta needs to win silverware at Arsenal. He doesn't buy into the notion that the Gunners have failed to win a trophy recently as they are up against the Manchester City juggernaut.
He told the Gambling Zone:
"It’s time for Arteta and Arsenal to start winning titles. It’s irrelevant that Arsenal are challenging one of the juggernauts of modern-day football in Man City, that’s just the way it is at this moment in time. Arteta knows better than anyone that he needs to win some major titles. He doesn’t need to be told that by anyone."
Arsenal are currently fourth in the Premier League table, nine points behind leaders Liverpool. They are level on points with third-placed Chelsea but sit behind the Blues because of goal difference.