Former Arsenal defender William Gallas has accused Arsenal of ‘missing the character to be champions’ ahead of the new season, pouring cold water on predictions that they could finish the season top of the Premier League.
The Gunners topped the Premier League for much of last season, only to fall away at the end of the campaign and leave Manchester City with their third consecutive Premier League title, part of a historic treble for Pep Guardiola’s side.
They have since spent over £200m on new signings, breaking the British transfer record to sign Declan Rice from West Ham United and adding Kai Havertz and Jurrien Timber into the mix too, with all three players starting the Community Shield win over Manchester City.
Despite this Gallas, who appeared 142 times for the Gunners and captained the side under Arsene Wenger, believes that they are still a soft touch under Mikel Arteta. As a result, he can’t see his former side lifting the Premier League come the end of the season.
“I’m sure Arsenal will get very close to winning the title this season, but I don’t think they be crowned champions in May”, he explained. “I think Arsenal are missing the character and the personality to become champions – these are the qualities that they needed to show at the end of last season, and they couldn’t.”
“I want to see Arsenal adapt a soldier mentality this season. I want to see players that are ready to communicate a lot in the pitch – demanding more of each other. I want to see experienced players taking responsibility when things are not going well on the pitch for Arsenal. I still think that Arsenal are missing this type of win-at-all-costs mentality and that is why I don’t think they will win the title this season.”
