This could be Arsenal's best chance for the title if they learn fast how to be champions

There are matches that stand out in my career which some people might find strange. They’re not the big matches, like Champions League finals. They are games like a 1-0 win against Bolton at the Reebok Stadium in January 2009.

Dimitar Berbatov scored in the last minute, which is always exhilarating, but otherwise that might seem quite a routine day.



I remember coming off the pitch that day and talking with some of the other lads who had won a few titles by then and saying: ‘Something’s happening. We’ll win it now.’

There were still more than four months of the season to run and at United any premature celebrations were always stamped out immediately. But that private conversation was not a misjudged arrogance. It was borne out of long experience and a sure confidence.

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Crunch: Arsenal head to Manchester United with a five-point lead atop the Premier League

Over the years you came to recognise the significant moments in a season. Often it was a game in which you looked as though you might drop points but ended up winning. You knew exactly how much that would deflate your opponents. You had the experience to navigate the landscape of a title-winning season.

It was like being a 5,000metres runner, who has four laps to go but is running comfortably and knows he is the quickest finisher in the pack; you might not be over the finish line but you’re still in control of the race and understand the destiny is set.

That game comes to mind when we are discussing Arsenal’s title hopes. Arsene Wenger should take it as a compliment that everyone is seriously questioning their credentials; even a year ago they would have probably simply been dismissed as the same old Arsenal. But every match brings a new perspective on this team.



Having fun? Arsenal looked in good spirits when they trained at their Colney base on Saturday Boost: Jack Wilshere was back in training after his injury and could feature at Old Trafford

Last Saturday against Liverpool was the clash of the two surprise teams at the top of the table. Yet Liverpool couldn’t get near them. You came out thinking only one of those teams can even think about winning the title.Then on Wednesday there was a real test, against the Champions League runners-up, Borussia Dortmund, who had just beaten VfB Stuttgart 6-1.



For the first time in a long while I saw an Arsenal side who weren’t at their best, who couldn’t get their flowing football going yet stayed in the game, got the goal and then managed the game out for the last 30 minutes. That mental discipline was the strongest sign yet that here was a team with potential to win a title.

The visit to Old Trafford is a crucial test. In their last campaign, Arsenal didn’t win any of their games against last season’s top three clubs, losing four and drawing two. Until now they haven’t come up against any of those teams — which might account for their five-point lead at the top.

It’s why there are still questions as to whether they have the endurance to sustain this campaign. By that I mean the mental staying power to get around obstacles — like a cold day in January when you’re drawing 0-0 with a minute on the clock, but end up taking all three points.

Are they ready for the inevitable bad patch, the successive defeats? Title-winning teams don’t dwell on defeats but react decisively.

Arsenal still have much the same group of players that were celebrating finishing fourth on the last day of the season as though they had won a cup final. However, teams do mature and develop a mental strength.



Manchester City did it in 2011-12. In 2006, Manchester United lost the title to Chelsea by eight points; in 2007 they won it, beating Chelsea into second by six points. The only addition to their squad had been Michael Carrick. The difference was that a core of young players had grown up, and they knew how to see a title race through to completion.

There is some evidence of that at Arsenal. This is not a two-month phenomenon. In 2013 they have won the most games in the Premier League, lost the fewest and have the joint best defensive record. This team have changed and matured. And if they keep adding to their squad with players of the same calibre as Mesut Ozil and keep hold of the current players over the next few years, it is clear that the arc of their progress is upwards.

Away day: Aaron Ramsey scored the winner for Arsenal in their excellent Champions League win at Dortmund

But Arsenal might not be able to wait a year to mature. This might be the year they have to do it. You cannot believe that Chelsea, Manchester City and Manchester United — all of whom seem to have stronger and deeper squads — will remain so inconsistent and keep making mistakes. But all those clubs are in transition. This might be Arsenal’s unique opportunity.

Normally you have to lose one, to win one; to learn what a title race is about and to build up a mental database so that when it comes around in the next few years they can say: ‘We’ve been here before. This is where we lost it last year. Now we know how to win it.’

Cruise: Arsenal brushed Liverpool aside 2-0 at the Emirates last weekend

Arsene Wenger has that experience but his players don’t, so they will have to learn quickly.

By next year it might be too late. Manchester City, Manchester United and Chelsea will all be stronger with their new managers all having spent a year at the club.

My gut feeling is that they will be overhauled. But this year may be the opportunity that Arsenal need to seize. And if they do it this year with this squad, it would be an incredible story and, given the criticism and scepticism he has encountered, it would be the greatest achievement of Arsene Wenger’s career.

If you asked me to rate Mesut Ozil’s performances so far, I would say: ‘Understated but wonderful to watch.’ Nevertheless, he is not spectacular, like a striker scoring 10 goals in 11 games.

But in his first three months, his impact on the team has been greater than the level of his performance — and that is another definition of a great player.

The effect of his game on his team-mates is huge. He has such precision that his choice of pass in the final third is almost always right. He reads the game ahead of most and sees people in better positions.

Influential: Mesut Ozil has provided Arsenal with even more creativity since arriving from Real Madrid

Paul Scholes was the greatest player I ever played with because he had similar qualities. His effect on the team was so immense. The key test of a great team is whether they can keep possession in the final third of the pitch when they’re in the lead against the best opposition. That’s very important when looking at possession statistics.



Paul was the pivotal man who could dictate possession in that final third in the biggest games. Against Liverpool last week, you could see that Ozil did the same. He was the man in control. He might be a very different player to Paul, but the similarities are there. I can pay no higher compliment.





For Manchester United, this is a mini crossroads of the season. You can have a slow start, but there comes a moment when you have to put down a marker.

Win and people will be thinking: ‘United are still there.’ They will be five points behind Arsenal and one behind Chelsea.



Catch up: A win for David Moyes' men will move them five points behind Arsenal and one adrift of Chelsea

But if they are to do that they will need one massive performance from Wayne Rooney. He will have to be three players in one. I’m sure David Moyes will ask him to get back into midfield when Arsenal have the ball and make sure United don’t become over-run.

But he will still have to be a centre-forward, ensuring that Robin van Persie doesn’t become isolated. And if Adnan Januzaj plays, he will have to help him out defensively at times and become a winger.