Former Arsenal midfielder Santi Cazorla has claimed the Gunners were lacking belief that they could win the Premier League title under Arsene Wenger.

The Spaniard, who arrived at the club for £10million from Malaga in 2012, made 180 appearances for Arsenal and won two FA Cups in six seasons at the Emirates Stadium but suffering a terrible ankle injury. During his time in north London, Arsenal came closest to winning the title in 2015-16 but they could still only finish 10 points adrift of eventual and surprising champions Leicester.

Cazorla admitted there were certain seasons he felt Arsenal could have made a strong bid for the title but a lack of belief proved too costly. He also backed the Gunners to have a good campaign under new manager Unai Emery. “We needed to believe in ourselves more,” he told the BBC. “To believe that we were capable of competing with the big sides in the Premier League and not just settling for third or fourth.”

Wegner's Arsenal lacked belief says Santi Cazorlahttps://t.co/vOP60ahWMd

"To believe that we were capable of competing with the big sides in the Premier League and not just settling for third or fourth."

Uh oh!

— The Emerytes era begins! (@vinbhak) September 23, 2018

“We needed to have made that leap to try and battle it out for the title. There were seasons where you felt like we were in with a shout but then through various circumstances it wasn’t to be. But I think it’s all about having that self-belief, that right mentality. To say we believe in this team, we know we have a great squad and we can go toe to toe with the big English clubs.”

”I believe that they will do that and for sure they will keep on improving in the future. They are going to have a great season, they have a great team and I wish them all the best.” Cazorla also revealed that Emery asked for his thoughts on the goings on behind the scenes at the club ahead of his arrival this summer.

”I think it’s a club that can improve quite a few things,” Cazorla added. ”I gave him all the information I could to try and help him out during his period of settling in and I think he’s very happy and I think he’s a great manager for Arsenal. But everyone really does have to be patient, when you think you’ve had the same manager for 23 years, a manager who became a real symbol for the club on a worldwide scale and the fans have to show a little patience with Unai, and the team because there has been a lot of changes.”

“I believe that if they do things in the right manner, Arsenal have everything required to be a massive club. I’m sure that in the coming seasons Arsenal will be making that step up in quality which will hopefully enable them to be on a level playing field and able to fight for the title and other big trophies.” Arsenal lost both of their opening two games against Manchester City and Chelsea but battled back to win against West Ham, Cardiff and Newcastle. They host Everton on Sunday looking to make it four victories in a row.

Author’s Take:

I think there was a step down in quality of players and the lack of passion after their last League truimph. Also, Wenger tried to change his philosophy from big, physical players to tiny, little playmakers which led to his downfall.

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