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'Not time to panic' Invincibles winner calls for calm amid Arsenal title wobble
Arsenal visit Elland Road on Saturday, with the start of familiar concerns penetrating their way through North London.
A few weeks back, the Gunners looked to be on an unstoppable path to finally landing their first Premier League title for over two decades, but they've encountered a first blip in the last three games that triggered memories of previous failed campaigns.
Their defeat to Manchester United last weekend means they've only won two points from the last possible nine, and seen their lead at the top cut down to four points. Next up, it's Leeds, and Mikel Arteta will look for a response from his side following their recent poor run to dispel the annual narrative of Arsenal wobbling at the wrong time.
One man who isn't concerned is former Gunners striker Jérémie Aliadière. The Frenchman was part of the last Arsenal side to win the league, as part of the Invincibles victory in 2004, and he believes his former side are just going through a blip and there's no reason to panic.
"I'm not going to say they've been playing their best football because they haven't, that's for sure," Aliadiere exclusively told DAZN News, thanks to Casino.org for finding free poker sites.
"But I've said it so many times, the season's so long, you know, and it doesn't matter how big your squad you've still got so many games. There's going to be a period of time in the season where you're not going to be at your top. It's going to be difficult.
"Some of the best players are going to find it a little bit difficult and get a bit tired and all that kind of stuff.
"There are still so many games to play. They are still top of the league, still playing in every competition.
"There's no need to be so down about it and start finding negative stuff, and I feel that's the worst thing that you can do.
"The players will know that they haven't performed at their best at the moment, and they'll all be disappointed."
One of the main differences for Arsenal this season is having the squad to compete when times get tougher and across numerous competitions. One of those summer recruits was Viktor Gyokeres, who continues to face criticism over his lack of numbers in front of goal.
The Swede, who netted 50 times for Sporting last season, hasn't managed to go on a goalscoring run since moving to North London, but ex-forward Aliadiere thinks Gyokeres has been harshly treated.
"It has been harsh because I just feel that people have kind of jumped in very quickly on the fact that he didn't score many goals.
"I don't think he got a long period of time without being criticised because of that. And I do feel that the quicker you get criticised for not scoring goals, straight away, it plays on your mind.
"I'm sure if you ask him, Viktor, would you like to work less, and people just stop talking about your hard work and score two, three goals every game, you'll be like, I'd rather score goals so people get off my case.
"But in terms of what he brings to the team, you know, I'm sure Mikel would be like, you know what? Yes, obviously, I love him to score more goals, but what he brings to the team and the way he plays, I like him. And that's why I keep starting him."
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