Invincibles icon issues clear demand to Arsenal squad to keep Premier League title dream alive

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Arsenal will have set out with the target of becoming Premier League champions at the beginning of this season. 

As things stand, Arsenal are not in a strong position when it comes to the Premier League title race. Eleven rounds of fixtures have been played in the top flight of English football this season, and the Gunners are already nine points behind current leaders Liverpool.

Arsenal are still in the title race, but the North London club have little margin of error left available to them. Mikel Arteta will know that his side’s form must improve dramatically and immediately when the Premier League resumes after the current international break.

Arsenal have not won a Premier League title since 2004, and the Spanish coach will be determined to finally end that long wait this time around, having come close in each of the last two campaigns. 

• READ MORE: Who are The Invincibles? Meet the Arsenal record-breakers who became Premier League legends

Gilberto Silva asks for Arsenal sacrifice

Gilberto Silva was part of that 2004 title-winning Arsenal side, remembered as the Invincibles, as they did not lose a single Premier League match throughout that entire campaign. 

In total, the Brazilian midfielder made almost 250 appearances for the Gunners, across all competitions, between 2002 and 2008, winning the one league title as well as two FA Cups.

The 48-year-old understands what it takes to become a champion, and speaking to Sky Sports has now passed his insight on to the current crop of Arsenal players. 

Gilberto said: “If Arsenal want to win this year, they need to put even more effort in than what they are doing. Of course, there is a lot of good work in the team and Mikel and the players, but to be champions you have to give something extra. More than you normally do.

“You have all the strategy for the game, the tactics and technique, you have to find it in yourself, how much you want it. How much you want to win it, how much you’re willing to sacrifice.”

Where do Arsenal stand in the title race?

Of course, Liverpool are now in the driver’s seat as far as the title race is concerned, and few would rule out reigning champions Manchester City at this stage in the campaign either.

However, Gary Neville has reasserted his faith in Arsenal and their ability to come out on top in the title race.

Arteta has a great deal of quality in his ranks, but the Arsenal squad is lacking depth. The Gunners have struggled to score goals this season, and that issue must be addressed in the upcoming January transfer window. 

Arsenal have been urged to sign a striker, and Arteta must listen to these pleas. He needs to add a proven, prolific, and clinical goalscorer to his squad to fire his side to the title in the second half of the season.