Arsenal news: Gunners have 'got their swagger back' and are capable of beating any side, says Charlie Nicholas

Arsenal are enjoying a rich vein of form, impressing on both the domestic and European stage in recent weeks

Samuel Lovett
Wednesday 07 December 2016 09:54 EST
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Arsenal beat Basel 4-1 to finish top of their Champions League group for the first time in five seasons
Arsenal beat Basel 4-1 to finish top of their Champions League group for the first time in five seasons (Getty)

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Former Arsenal player Charlie Nicholas believes Arsene Wenger’s Gunners have “got their swagger back” and are capable of beating any side they face.

Arsenal are enjoying a rich vein of form, currently sitting second in the Premier League three points behind leaders Chelsea.

The side also qualified for the last-16 of the Champions League as group winners for the first time in five seasons.

Wenger’s men ran four past Basel on Tuesday night while group rivals PSG were held to a shock 2-2 draw in Paris to help hand Arsenal the top spot in Group A.

In light of the club’s recent achievements and form, Arsenal icon Nicholas believes the club are currently “as good as anybody”.

“When Arsenal are a club with fluency and momentum, they are as good as anybody,” he said.

"They've beaten Barcelona in the past and they can beat any of the top sides, but can they do it consistently. It's looking as if they are much tougher.

“They are much more up for the fight and it is all good news for Arsenal.

"Arsenal have got their swagger back and were in the groove.

“He didn't score tonight but Alexis Sanchez, alongside Mesut Ozil, was absolutely fabulous to watch."

Nicholas also praised the club for its strength in depth but added that he felt there were no excuses for the side as a result.

"The players that came in also did well. Lucas Perez got a hat-trick, Alex Iwobi scored, Kieran Gibbs basically got three assists and Rob Holding also played well at the back. So it's all good news and a happy December so far.

"You have the money, you have the capacity and you have the quality. It's up to them to prove it and not just Arsene standing up in his loyal chair and saying I believe in these guys.


Perez bagged a hat-trick to help fire the Gunners to a 4-1 victory in Switzerland

 Perez bagged a hat-trick to help fire the Gunners to a 4-1 victory in Switzerland
 (Getty)

"They have to show it but I just feel that with this competitive edge and togetherness, it's becoming a bit of a reality.

"The squad's so strong. You've got Walcott on the bench, you've got Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, who has been getting the nod ahead of the likes of Iwobi, who also grabbed a goal. Now Wenger's got a fabulous headache.

"It's amazing what a competitive edge does to a group because you don't need to be the best of mates, but in training, you'll feel the spirit, you'll feel the togetherness and you'll feel the endeavour that you've got to be at the top of your game to impress the manager."

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