Arsenal legend Patrick Vieira has urged the Gunners to remind themselves where they are at this stage of the season amid their poor run of form in recent weeks. His comments arrived after Manchester City knocked Mikel Arteta and Co. off the top spot in the Premier League table, following their 1-0 win over Burnley on April 22.
The Gunners have been dominant for most of the season, having been at the summit of the league standings for more than 200 days. They have also reached the UEFA Champions League semi-finals and have a massive chance of winning the double.
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However, Arsenal have struggled for form in recent weeks, losing four of their last six fixtures across all competitions. They have lost to Manchester City twice in this period, including the EFL Cup final, and were also eliminated in the FA Cup quarter-finals by Southampton.
After watching his former side lose their advantage in the table, Vieira told the club’s official website (via Daily Mirror):
“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.”
He added:
“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.”
Arsenal are currently second in the table with 70 points from 33 games, behind Manchester City on goals scored, with both sides having a goal difference of 37. The Gunners are aiming to win their first Premier League title in 22 years.
“I don’t have any doubt about that” – Patrick Vieira backs Arsenal forward to come good at the end of the season
Patrick Vieira reckons Arsenal forward Viktor Gyokeres will have a positive impact in the final month of the season. Despite impressing in recent weeks, the summer signing from Sporting CP has been criticized by many for his all-around performance.
From the aforementioned interview, Vieira said:
“I’ve seen him working hard out of possession, and he’s always working hard for the team. I’ve seen him making the run to create that space, and for some reason, the ball didn’t get there yet. But I think he’s somebody who has more to give than what we’ve seen, and I like his energy, and I like his spirit when he’s on the field. He’s a real team player and scoring goals, he will score goals, I don’t have any doubt about that.”
Gyokeres has netted 18 goals and provided two assists in 47 appearances across all competitions in his debut season for Arsenal. They will next be in action against Newcastle United on April 25.
Edited by Silas Sud
