Former Manchester United defender Patrice Evra has used his own experience of playing against Arsenal to highlight the transformation made by Mikel Arteta at the Emirates Stadium. The Gunners currently sit top of the Premier League table after 26 games, five points ahead of Manchester City.
Reiss Nelson's late winner against Bournemouth at the weekend stopped Arsenal from dropping points in the title race. The win against the Cherries could prove to be a massive moment in the title race against City.
The Gunners have not lifted the Premier League trophy for nearly 20 years but this season represents their best chance of ending that drought. Gabriel Jesus is set to return to action in the coming weeks which will come as a huge boost to Arteta and his team's chances of winning the title ahead of City.
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Rio Ferdinand has praised the north Londoners' after they have won three games on the bounce after suffering defeat against City at the Emirates Stadium. Speaking during the FIVE podcast on YouTube, Ferdinand said: "There are moments when you score goals when you go, 'that's it'.
"I don't remember doing it when you're still 12 games out [from the end of the season]. It's a long time to go, there's a lot of time to make mistakes.
"I get why the Arsenal players [celebrated wildly], it's a big moment. They had already had the upheaval of confidence being shattered before in the game when they lost against Manchester City.
"Then they come back from the goals down against [Aston] Villa. All of a sudden this game [vs Bournemouth], 2-0, running away from them - the spirit they've got at the club right now, what Mikel Arteta has produced has been nothing short a miracle. He's done an amazing job."
Evra then revealed that he always thought Arteta would go on to win a Premier League title as a manager. The former France international said: "I'll be honest, I might sound a bit crazy, but I was the one from the beginning - I love Arteta - and I said 'he's going to win the title'.
"I know I've called Arsenal 'my baby', but it was a feeling. Every time I played against them it was easy, some of their players after 35 minutes were asking for my shirt!
"It's not out of disrespect, it was just an easy day [playing against Arsenal]. This year, Arsenal deserve to win the league the way they play.
"The personality, the character they show. The Villa game, even after Saturday, this is a winning mentality - a champion mentality.
"The problem for Arsenal is that they are against Manchester City and Pep Guardiola. This would be a big achievement if they [City] win the title this year.
"If Arsenal don't win the league this year, then they need to change league and play in France or Italy! This is a massive chance and that's why the fans are scared, they are scared to believe because they have been traumatised in the past."
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