Former Tottenham star Rafael van der Vaart insists Arsenal haven’t any world class players of their squad, convinced any of those adequate to play for Real Madrid would crumble under pressure.
The Gunners are still top of the Premier League but dropped more points in a harmful draw to Wolves on Thursday night. The visitors led 2-0 at Molineux against the team all-time low of the Premier League but left with just a degree.
Arsenal have now played a game greater than second placed Manchester City who can reduce the gap to simply two points after they tackle Newcastle United on Saturday evening.
Attention will then switch back to the capital where Tottenham host Arsenal within the north London derby – their first game with Igor Tudor on the helm following Thomas Frank’s departure.
Much has been manufactured from Arsenal’s mental strength amid what has been a rocky begin to the 12 months. There are also still scars from failing to get the job in previous seasons having finished second in three consecutive campaigns under Arteta.
Manchester United and England legend Wayne Rooney said this week Arsenal haven’t any ‘superstar’ players with van der Vaart agreeing their lack of a real world class outlet is holding them back.
While a few of Arsenal stars have been amongst the very best within the league this season, the previous Dutch international describes them as ‘an excellent son-in-law’, believing they’d not address the demands of playing for greater clubs.
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‘Arsenal wouldn’t have any world class players – I agree with Wayne Rooney,’ van der Vaart told Sky Bet.
‘Perhaps it is best to say that Arsenal have ‘stars’ of their team – they’ve really good players, but no person is world class.
‘To be a world class footballer, it’s not nearly your performances, you wish the attitude on the pitch.
‘After I have a look at this Arsenal team, they’re all ‘Ideal son-in-law’s,’ as we are saying in Dutch – they will play well but I don’t think any would succeed in the event that they went to Real Madrid since the mentality is way harder and there may be lots more pressure.’
Arsenal are still fighting on 4 fronts having qualified for the knockout stages of the Champions League, booked their place within the Carabao Cup final and reached the fifth round of the FA Cup.
But van der Vaart shouldn’t be having any talk of an unprecedented quadruple.
‘I don’t think Arsenal are strong enough to compete on all fronts and challenge for the treble or quadruple,’ he said.
‘Obviously, when you’re still in all competitions the hope is there but to win all the pieces, that is simply too difficult.’
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