Arsenal legend: Gunners closing in on success

Wednesday, August 1, 2012
2:43 PM

Martin Keown thinks Arsenal have the potential to end their seven-year wait for a trophy this season

Former Arsenal defender Martin Keown thinks the Gunners are building the belief and desire needed to end their trophy drought.

Keown won three Premier League titles and three FA Cups under manager Arsene Wenger between 1997 and 2004, and he thinks a return to the glory days could beckon.

“There has to be belief and that has to be grown over a number of years. And I do think that is growing now,” he told Arsenal’s official website.

“I do think they are getting closer.

“There has to be a desire and a focus for you to win it and as players you need to be peaking at the right time. It is about your squad and the strength of it,” he added.

The former England international centre-back added that he is looking forward to seeing Arsenal’s blend of experience and youth in the upcoming season.

“I would like to see the experienced players in the squad like Mikel Arteta - who I thought was a very big loss at the end of last season - together with Jack Wilshere coming back into the fold as soon as they can.”