ARTETA’S POISON ANTIDOTE

MIKEL ARTETA insists Arsenal legends are always welcome at the club – as long as they do not “spread poison”.

The Spaniard’s blunt message comes after he penned a new three-year deal at The Emirates last week.

And although he did not name names, it was almost certainly directed at ex-Gunners hitmen Thierry Henry and Dennis Bergkamp.

The pair were openly critical of the Arsenal board and manager earlier this season and also publicly supported a rejected £2billion takeover bid from Spotify supremo Daniel Ek.

But acrimony with Arteta softened after the two attended last month’s home win over Manchester United and spent time post-match with Bukayo Saka and Emile Smith Rowe.

Ahead of the visit of relegationbattlers Leeds, the Gunners boss was asked if his contract extension until June 2025 proves that the snipers he felt were deliberately undermining his reign, have been silenced.

Arteta said: “There are many, many more positives than negatives.

“We have a great example with our ex-players. What happened a few weeks ago was emotional, natural and organic.

“Now, hopefully, they’ve realised that anyone who wants to genuinely contribute to what we’re doing with advice or support is more than welcome. Anyone who wants to poison the club... he’s going to be very far away from the club.”

Using the knowledge of those who were a major part of Arsenal’s glorious past makes perfect sense, says Arteta.

Indeed, he reckons the club’s rich history can give his blossoming outfit, tips from Henry and Bergkamp about how to triumph in N17.

They were key components for the Arsene Wenger Invincibles team, which clinched the 2004 title at White Hart Lane. So what are the chances of the class of 2022 securing Champions League qualification for the first time in five years at the expense of their fiercest rivals? Arteta added: “For this generation, it would be incredible. “Hopefully, we can do it with everybody feeling in the right place.” who started the weekend two points clear of Tottenham in the race for fourth, a big edge moving forward.

“If we don’t use the history we have, we are losing a big percentage in relation to other teams,” said

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the ex-Arsenal midfielder.

“We have it as there’s ARSENAL

been so much bigwigs have done well to

success and so hold their nerve this season,

says Mikael Silvestre. The Gunners

many incredible began the campaign dismally but,

people and following a rocky opening few weeks,

players in this results improved and they edged up the table.

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club’s history. With just a handful of games left Mikel Arteta’s

“We have to men are well poised to grab the final Champions

encourage it League spot. Silvestre, who joined Arsenal from

to come back Manchester United in 2008, believes the club

here to make were right to avoid knee-jerk reactions. “The

owners have been strong and kept their heads

us strong. That because everything was going wrong and the

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is my aim.” season started badly,” he said. “They will be

With a crunch disappointed if they don’t finish in the top

derby clash at four because secretly that was the

Spurs looming on objective. I think they will be in

Thursday, there is Europe next season, but it is

no doubt Saka and Co too early to say in what

could get some decent competition.”