Arsenal fans hoping their next Premier League title is just around the corner have been offered little hope by former manager George Graham, who reckons they are years away from lifting the trophy again.
The Gunners head to Old Trafford tonight knowing a win could move them from eighth up to third in the Premier League table, a position that has been well out of their reach in the last three seasons.
The north London side have not won a title since 2004 and only finished second twice in that time, something ex-Arsenal boss Graham does not think will change any time soon.
‘I can’t see either challenging at the top for three seasons at least,’ Graham told the Daily Mail.
‘Even the top four will be tough for them right now. When standards slip, it’s hard to raise them again, and Liverpool and Manchester City aren’t going anywhere.
‘People talk about a lack of leaders and they have a point, particularly at centre-half. Think about Tony Adams, John Terry, Vincent Kompany, Virgil van Dijk. Every Arsenal supporter wants a defender like that.
‘United have been looking for years. They’ve signed Harry Maguire and hope he’s the answer. But that’s the word: “hoping”.
‘United are under greater pressure because expectations there are higher, both for results and the style of play. It could be a good time for Arsenal to play them.’
Manager Unai Emery would relish getting one over on United, even if the two sides do not have same level of rivalry that started when Graham was in charge at Highbury in the late 1980s.
However, the Scot has been impressed with Emery, who is only the third permanent manager of the club since Graham.
‘Emery isn’t afraid to make decisions,’ Graham added.
‘If he thinks Mesut Ozil should come off, he’s off. I like that, it’s the job.
‘I sold Charlie Nicholas who had done his stretch. If the team is struggling, make a decision and if you upset anyone, so what?
‘I’m told the passion is back at the training ground, which is good. But you do need quality as well.
‘There’s not many in the current Arsenal team I’d have taken. The forward line is clearly the strongest part of their team.’
In tonight’s opponents for Arsenal, Graham finds little merit either but is impressed by the work done by those responsible for United’s summer transfers.
‘I like the look of Dan James, quick, strong, lovely shot,’ Graham said.
‘Scouts, or the recruitment department as they are called these days, should look at the lower leagues more.
‘I signed Lee Dixon, Nigel Winterburn and Steve Bould from smaller clubs and they became part of Arsenal’s history.
‘I know you can go anywhere in the world now to buy players, but the principle still stands.’
