Viv Anderson played for both Arsenal and Man United during his footballing career and has spoken ahead of the clash between the two Reds, insisting that the Gunners will be challenging for the title this season.

Arsenal’s season has been largely inconsistent so far. In the league we’re not doing too badly, only having lost one match to West Ham on the opening day of the season. However, in other competitions, namely the Champions League, we’ve been awful and have a grand total of zero points in our group.

 Viv Anderson of Arsenal in action during the Canon League Division One match against Chelsea
1 Sep 1995: Viv Anderson of Arsenal in action during the Canon League Division One match against Chelsea played at Stamford Bridge in Londo, England. Chelsea won the match 2-1. \ Mandatory Credit: Simon Bruty/Allsport

Anderson, however, believes that in terms of the Premiership, we’ll still be successful and that Arsene Wenger has done great things for the club.

“What Arsene Wenger has achieved at that club, he keeps on qualifying for Europe every year and if you look at that team, there are some really good exciting players,” he said. “I know there have been cries for him to leave, but they should stick with him.

“I like the style of football he plays, it is the passing and moving game which is very attractive.”

Anderson continued, “They won the FA Cup for the past two seasons, which was a big thing after everyone saying it had been nine years without winning anything, so they managed to bridge that gap.

“With the players Arsene Wenger has got in the squad now, they should be there or thereabouts for winning the title now, and I don’t see any reason why not.

“They could probably do with some more defensive cover, particularly at centre-half, but all in all, I think there are some really good players, it is just a matter of them all clicking at the same time.”

Adding, “Arsenal, though, remain a bit in-and-out, I don’t know if they took Olympiakos a bit lightly, they might have fallen into that trap.

“However, I would expect Arsenal to be one of the three or four challenging for that Premier League trophy at the end of the season.”

I don’t think many people dispute what the boss has done for Arsenal – that’s not an issue. What is an issue is the same patterns being repeated. Of course, our 3-2 loss against Olympiacos will be completely forgotten come Sunday if we beat Man United, but the fact still remains that we’re not performing the way we should.