football | Wednesday, January 18, 2023 3:02 PM (Revised at: Thursday, January 19, 2023 1:17 PM)

Mikael Silvestre: Arsenal “Press the Repeat Button” Every Game, They Have a Very Good Chance of Winning Title

Devang Prasad

Arsenal are currently an unstoppable force who continue to make light work of the rest of the Premier League. Sunday gone saw them dispatch their North London rivals Tottenham. It could be argued Spurs were the most moveable object they have faced in the league this season.

In this article:

Can Arsenal win their first Premier League title since 2004?
Who are Arsenal’s biggest threats in the title race?
The growth and development of Wiliam Saliba

Can Arsenal win their first Premier League title since 2004?

Arsenal now sit eight points clear at the top of the Premier League. Eight points clear of the reigning champions Manchester City. Arsenal and the club’s fans have urged for caution and calm amid talks of them winning the league for the first time since the 2003.2004 season. However, Mikael Silvestre is now convinced by the Gunners and their title credentials.

When asked if he believes Arsenal can win the Premier League he replied: “I think so. They still have to play City twice so that’s six points.”

“But they’ve got a very good chance. The more the time passes, the more we see them pressing the repeat button. Doesn’t matter who they play against. They come up with the same game plan, the same urgency. They apply themselves every game and it’s very good to see. I enjoy watching them.”

Who are Arsenal’s biggest threats in the title race?

Whilst Arsenal currently sit comfortably at the top of the league, we are only just approaching the halfway point of the season. There are still plenty of games to play and points to be earned. Manchester City will be hoping they can return to winning ways against Tottenham tomorrow evening. Meanwhile, Manchester United travel to Selhurst Park this evening, before a clash of the titans fixture against Arsenal at The Emirates this sunday.

Silvestre believes it’s too early to insert United into the title race but has City still firmly in the conversation.

“I think for United those games against lower teams will be key. If they can win them.”

“Because in the last few seasons, against top teams, they’ve had good results, good performances. Against lower teams, at home. I think that’s where they need to improve.”

“So, still early to say for United. For me, they need to confirm themselves as title challengers. It’s not because of one month you play well, get the results and that’s it.”

“So, I’m very cautious on where the team will end up at the end of the season.”

“City remains the main contender for the title with Arsenal.”

“Might be a three-horse race at the end for which I’ll be delighted.”

The growth and development of Wiliam Saliba

One of vital cogs to Arsenal’s success this season has been the form of French central defender William Saliba. Saliba did have to wait his time to establish himself in North London. Saliba joined Arsenal as an 18 year olds and spent six months on loan at Nice making 22 appearances. He followed that up with a season long loan at Marseille. He made 50 appearances and went on to win the division’s Young Player of the Year award.

Saliba returned to Arsenal in the summer and has since established himself as one of the two main centre backs at Arsenal alongside Gabriel Magalhaes. His return has also enabled Arteta and this iteration of his Arsenal team to be tactically flexible. Although the Gunners starting formation means they have a back four, Ben White at times becomes a third centre back for Arsenal. This then sees Zinchenko become an extra midfielder, helping Arsenal to overwhelm opponents. Silvestre has been impressed with the way Saliba has grown and dealt with setbacks during his career so far.

“He’s had some difficult times before, especially when he signed for Arsenal and he was sent on loan. It was a step back but he handled it very well.”

“Still a young player but going to the World Cup for him, I’m sure even if he didn’t play, I think he learned a lot.”

“Coming back he was a little rusty not having played for so long but during the derby he was back to his best. Steady, reading the game well, good positioning.

“For him, it’s being able to manage sometimes the focus in the game. Stay focused for 90 minutes. If he does that he will be at the top.”