Groves - Arsenal are biggest threat to United

By Chris Harris

Perry Groves believes Arsenal are better equipped than any club to topple Manchester United next season.

Sir Alex Ferguson's team secured a third consecutive Premier League crown last month, leaving Arsenal trailing in their wake. Arsène Wenger's side could not fully recover from a sluggish start to the season and eventually finished 18 points behind the champions.

Arsenal were also 11 points adrift of Chelsea and 14 behind Liverpool in the final table, yet Groves is confident that Arsenal can emerge as United's biggest challengers next term.

"United have a maturity about them, they are physically mature," said the former Gunner. "They have been together for a number of years now and this is their third title in a row so they know how to win championships.  They have players who know how to perform in the big games.

"If you look at the age of our squad it's very young and sometimes as a youngster you need a few experienced players around you when things aren't going well to galvanise everybody. But I actually think as a squad we're closer to challenging Manchester United than Liverpool or Chelsea because I think we are only two players away.

"The squad looks strong and they are all excellent players technically. I think if we make the right signings we'll be up there challenging again."

The common consensus is that Arsenal will NOT be challenging again if they repeat the slow start which dogged them last term. A run of five defeats in the opening 14 games left Wenger's team with too much to do and the Frenchman is sure to impress on his players the importance of a solid opening to next season.

"A good start is vital," agreed Groves. "Most managers always say that you don't win it before Christmas but you can certainly lose it.

"When you lose players like Flamini, Lehmann, Gilberto and Hleb - four senior players - it does create a hole because younger players who come into the side haven't been in that situation before. That's what happened last season but the youngsters matured during the campaign and they will be better for the experience."

[Thursday, June 04, 2009]

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