Former Premier League star warns Arteta Arsenal must win trophy this year or they’ll be a ‘glorified Tottenham’
ARSENAL have been warned that they must start winning trophies under Mikel Arteta.
The Gunners have achieved back-to-back runner-up finishes in the Premier League.
Arteta, 42, did win the FA Cup during his first season in charge at the Emirates.
But despite contending for the Premier League title, the Spaniard has so far been unable to add to his trophy cabinet.
This weekend, Arsenal travel to Manchester City on the back of a 0-0 draw at Atalanta in the Champions League.
In the same fixture last season at the Etihad, fans were subjected to a 0-0 bore draw.
Ahead of the latest battle between the two contenders, former England goalkeeper David James warned that Arsenal risk becoming a “glorified Tottenham” if they continue to miss out on the biggest prizes.
Speaking to Safest Casino Sites, he said: “Finishing in the Champions League positions is great, but Arsenal fans don’t want to go back to the latter days of Wenger finishing fourth every season and winning nothing, they don’t want to be a glorified Tottenham!
“Arteta must win trophies with the club for that narrative to change, and until he does, there will always be doubts about Arsenal and whether or not you can consider them a true force in English football.
“A lot of my Arsenal supporting friends have been saying ‘this is the year’.
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“Football doesn’t work like that; you have to take your opportunities when there’s a chance. Arsenal haven’t done that in the last two years.”
James, 54, also claimed that Arteta cannot be considered among the world’s very best managers until he brings home that silverware.
He continued: “Mikel Arteta needs to turn the potential and the promise into silverware to be considered one of the best managers in Europe.
“It is strange because when Arteta first went in there, I was probably raving about him more then than I would do with any other manager, and people need to remember that, despite winning the FA Cup in his first season, it was a bumpy ride.
“It was a massive rebuild job that Arsenal needed, and he’s seen that through to the extent where they are now Premier League title-chasers. He deserves credit for that.
“The next step is taking that final jump and winning the title. That is the only way that Arsenal can improve in the Premier League.”
Despite the Gunners’ progress in recent seasons, James still won’t back them to win the title this time around.
On what could hold Arsenal back, the former City stopper added: “Do Arsenal have what it takes to win the title? I still have my doubts.
“I still think they’re a little bit too emotional at times.
“I think that could be an issue that rears its head during the season.”