Nigel Winterburn: Arsenal should be gunning for a top-four spot

Former Arsenal full-back Nigel Winterburn has told freesupertips.com that a top-four finish should be the minimum aim for the Gunners going into the new Premier League campaign.

Mikel Arteta’s side were on the brink of securing a Champions League spot last season before a 3-0 defeat to Tottenham handed their rivals the initiative with two games to go, meaning Arsenal ultimately missed out by two points.

Winterburn said: "There will come a point when the club demand Champions League football, which I think will be this season.

"They need to finish in the top four and the club want to get back into the Champions League. That's the first step with all the changes that have gone on.

"Mikel Arteta has had a harder job than a lot of people realise. For me there were a lot of players who needed to be moved on and they needed to change the mentality of the football club.

"He's trying to do that, hence why I like some of the signings with different attitudes coming in.

"That's good for the football club but this season will be a big test for Arteta because you've got the Europa League as well.

"He'll come under pressure if Arsenal are struggling because this is Arsenal - of course he would come under pressure if things weren't going to plan.

"But before we've even kicked a ball, the club will be looking at a Champions League spot. They should have had it last season, but they blew it, and will know that."

Winterburn does approve of Arteta’s appointment of Norway's Martin Odegaard as Arsenal captain.

He said: "Odegaard is captain of the national team, so it seems a good move.

"Last season I hated this rotation of captains, it wasn't for me, I didn't agree with it. I am pleased that this debate is overy.

"When I played, I knew who my captain was. Tony Adams was the captain if he was fit, and it was something I never used to worry about.

"Arteta has made that choice, he's chosen Odegaard and if anything for the player it's motivation to keep him at a high level of performance."

Winterburn went on to back new signing Gabriel Jesus as a potential 20-goal-a-season striker for the Gunners.

The former Arsenal defender stated: "I said it often last season that Arsenal needed a striker who can get you at least 20 Premier League goals and they haven't had that very often.

"From what I've seen so far, I get the feeling Jesus will play a lot of games and get a lot of minutes on the pitch.

"Provided he's not injured, then I think he's capable of getting those 20 Premier League goals a season.

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