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Former England centre-back Rio Ferdinand believes the current Arsenal defence is the best back-line that the Gunners have had for years.

Arsene Wenger's side are currently riding a 14-match unbeaten run and the ex- Manchester United man believes that their defensive improvement is largely down to the summer acquisition of Shkodran Mustafi.

The Germany defender arrived from Valencia for £35million this summer and has quickly formed an effective partnership with Laurent Koscielny at the heart of the Arsenal defence.

(Image: Arsenal FC via Getty)

This is the best back four I have seen at Arsenal for many a year," writes Ferdinand in the Evening Standard . "They are settled and look confident.

"Laurent Koscielny has been one of the most consistent defenders for the last few seasons and has found a great partner in summer signing Shkodran Mustafi.

(Image: Stuart MacFarlane / Arsenal FC)

"He’s looked a great acquisition so far."

Ferdinand was also quick to praise full-backs Hector Bellerin, who he believes to be the best right-back in the Premier League and Nacho Monreal.

And the ex-Leeds and West Ham defender Ferdinand says this re-tooled back-four gives the Gunners an excellent chance of landing a trophy this season.

(Image: Dan Mullan)

"Arsenal’s success in the early years of Wenger’s reign was built on a solid back four and if they can get that right again now, they will have a good chance of winning silverware."

Next up for Arsenal is tonight's Champions League clash against Ludogorets in Sofia before they host Tottenham in the North London derby on Sunday.

The Gunners will be looking to improve on their poor November record in the next 30 days, with the 11th month of the year historically their worst of the year under Wenger.

(Image: Stuart MacFarlane/Arsenal Football Club)

Wenger's men average just 1.59 points-per-game in November and the Arsenal boss urged his side to look forwards, not back ahead of a hectic month that also sees clashes against Manchester United, Paris Saint-Germain and an EFL Cup quarter-final against Southampton.

"Yes, we had some difficult Novembers but also positive ones," he said in a Halloween press conference .

"The most important thing is not to live in the past. You have to live with the team you have at the moment. Our destiny lies in the mind of the players: how strongly they are focused, how hungry they are in every single game, starting tomorrow.”

A win in Sofia will see the Premier League side qualify for the knockout phase with two games to spare.

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