RIO FERDINAND EXCLUSIVE 2009...year Arsenal changed from title contenders to title also-rans

Watch Pogba scare opponents next season

RIO FERDINAND has slammed Arsenal’s ‘top four will do’ mentality – and claimed they could lose star striker Alexis Sanchez as a result.

Arsenal face Bayern Munich in Germany on Wednesday as European action kicks back in with Gunners boss Arsene Wenger under pressure again after another faltering title bid.

And Ferdinand (below) has claimed he never thought he’d see the day when Arsenal would mark a top- four finish as success.

“I hoped that would happen when I was playing against them but in those days they were unbelievable games” said BT Sport football expert Ferdinand.

“When we went to Highbury and then the Emirates, you would have to fight.

“You’d have to win the fight first and then you could play your football. But it was never a given that you were going to go there and win.

“The infamous game when Roy Keane clashed with Vieira in the tunnel, you know straightaway this is going to be a hard game. And it’s going to be a fight.

“They had Thierry Henry and Denis Bergkamp up front and they’re not known as fighters. But you know it’s going to be a hard game.

“Vieira, Petit, Edu, Keown, Sol Campbell were aggressive players with character who were on the front foot and enjoying that part of the game.

“But also you knew that if they need to pass you to death they will do it as well.

“Now we have just got to understand Arsenal have a remit and that is to finish in the top four, it seems, because that is what the last 10 years tell you.

Winning

“They finish in the top four and Arsene Wenger (right) gets a new contract. So, the people that run Arsenal, their priority is obviously to finish in the top four and not necessarily focus on winning. That is how it seems.” Former Old Trafford and England star Ferdinand reckons Arsenal are mentally weak and that is why Chilean star Sanchez could leave next summer in search of titles – just like Robin van Persie, Cesc Fabregas and Sami Nasri. “All you have to say is Robin RIO FERDINAND believes Manchester United fans will get to see the best of “frightening”Paul Pogba next season.

United’s £89million world record buy (left) hasn’t yet hit the heights – but Ferdinand reckons once he’s van Persie, that’s it. He left Arsenal to go somewhere to win. He went to United and won the title.

“The best players in the world want to win things. It ain’t about money.”

Ferdinand pinpoints 2009 as the moment it changed for Arsenal, saying: “We’d go there and our team talk revolved around outrun them, overpower them, they don’t want their feathers ruffled.

“They don’t like it if you are aggressive and that’s the way we played against them. And in that 2009 Champions League semi-final we destroyed them.

“I’m not a fan of Arsenal – I’m not saying I don’t like them, it’s just obviously I’m not a fan.

“They’ve got so much talent but it’s never channelled the right way. It’s never consistently put out there, week in, week out and that’s their problem.”

With Manchester United also back in Europa League action on Thursday, Ferdinand is convinced Jose Mourinho will never allow his stars to settle for mediocrity.

He said: “With Mourinho at United, that will not happen. He is not a manager who will settle for second best, so fourth isn’t going to make him happy.” fully settled into English football he’ll be Jose Mourinho’s main man.

Ferdinand said: “If I think back to my first season at United it was different. I went into a team capable of winning the title but United now are not a team capable of winning the League yet. I went in with experienced players.

“They won the League that first season I was there but I didn’t feel an integral part of the team.

“He’s come in with a big price tag, the team struggling a little and is your home of unmissable live football. Watch Manchester United vs ASSE in the UEFA Europa League exclusively live on BT Sport 2 from 7.30pm this Thursday. he’s looked at as being the big talisman straight away.”

Ferdinand added: “I am excited about Pogba next season because he will be accustomed to his surroundings and hopefully we can see the best of him.”