Mikel Arteta's former Arsenal team-mate identifies major issue with Premier League title bid

William Gallas fears Arsenal will miss out on the title again because they keep dropping points “against small teams.”

And the ex-Gunners skipper, who never wore the crownat the Emirates, warned there would be a “huge drama” if led to glory at his first attempt while the holy grail evaded his former team-mate for a fifth year.

Gallas blasted performance in the 2-0 defeat at , where they finished with 10 men for the third time in six league games after William Saliba’s red card. Saliba will now be suspended for Sunday’s big showdown with Liverpool - in addition to England winger and skipper Martin Odeegaard missing out through injury.

Gallas said: “Listen, the problem with is always the same and it looks like it won't change. If they play against big teams, every player will be 100 per cent. But if they play against small teams, some players are not 100 per cent. It’s difficult for me to understand this, but it's true.

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“If you want to win the title, you’ve got to beat the small teams in the league home and away. If you draw, it’s the same feeling as a loss because you know how good are. Arsenal need to understand that they can’t drop points like this if they want to be champions this season."

Speaking to he added: “You can’t blame the defeat (at Bournemouth) on Saka or Odegaard not being available. Those are excuses that I don’t want to hear because Arsenal have a big squad. When Manchester City lose a couple of key players, do they drop points? You don't see any difference.”

Gallas tipped Arsenal to win the title before a ball was kicked, but their defeat at the Vitality stadium may prove a damaging setback and he said: “I was upset about Arsenal, because I don't want them to let me down.

“City are consistent. Liverpool are consistent, even with the new manager Arne Slot coming in. Someone will need to explain to me how Liverpool are doing so well under a new boss. He’s made following in the footsteps of Klopp look easy, and we’ve seen clubs attempt to replace legendary managers and find things far from easy.

“He should have the most difficult manager's job in the league. It usually takes time for managers to have this type of impact, and usually managers ask for time. Slot has come in, bang! Top of the league. For me, that’s why if Arsenal doesn't win the league this season, it's a big drama - it's a big drama because you have to think about Arteta being in charge of that club for how long? Five years.

“Five years and they haven't won the Premier League yet. If Liverpool win the Premier League in Slot’s first season, what does that say about Arteta and Arsenal? It would create a huge amount of drama.”

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