Mikel Arteta believes his Arsenal side is “close” to matching Chelsea and their must-win mentality.
This afternoon’s FA Cup final between the two London rivals is sure to be a thorough test of the Spaniard’s theory.
Arsenal, having replaced Unai Emery with his fellow Spaniard in December last year, finished their Premier League campaign in eighth place, their lowest position since 1995.
They were 10 points behind Chelsea, who secured fourth spot to book a Champions League return.
Arsenal must therefore win to avoid missing out on European football next season in a derby that doubles as a repeat of the 2017 FA Cup final.
The Gunners won that 2-1 to lift the trophy for a record 13th time but Chelsea were crowned Premier League champions that season and last year thrashed Arsenal 4-1 in the Europa League final.
Since Arsenal last won the league, in 2004, Chelsea have been domestic champions five times and lifted three European trophies.
Arteta, who stepped down as Pep Guardiola’s number two at Manchester City to start his managerial career, admitted the Gunners needed players who could replicate that winning mentality.
“Absolutely,” he said. “Chelsea have some very important core players in those winning teams and that has given then the platform to be consistent.
“They have had some really good managers, players and structure at the football club but before they weren’t a winning team.
“They managed to change that mindset and convince the players and everyone at the club that the only thing that was allowed was to win. When that happens then everybody performs better.
“I think we have some really good core players but we need to add certain things.
“We have the ability and the possibility to win a trophy so that says that we are close.”
Arsenal transfer hopes remain
Arsenal fans are hoping that ambitious plans to bring in players of the calibre of Philippe Coutinho of Barcelona and Atletico Madrid’s Thomas Partey become reality over the next few weeks, but keeping captain Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang is also a priority.
Arteta was confident an FA Cup win that secures a Europa League return would help persuade the striker to ignore the lure of suitors offering Champions League football.
“Winning a trophy helps you to really believe ‘wow, I really want more of those moments’,” he said.
“And if you are wearing the armband and you are able to lift that cup, it is such a big moment. This is going to help for sure.
“I don’t have that feeling (that it will be his last Arsenal game). It’s a package.
“You need a lot of ingredients on the table to persuade a player.
“At the moment he still has a contract with us and I think he should be proud of where he is.”
Arteta is aiming to become only the second Arsenal man win the FA Cup as both player and a manager, a feat previously achieved by George Graham.
The Spaniard was captain in 2014 when Arsenal came back from 2-0 down to beat Hull 3-2 in extra time.
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