Nigel Winterburn thinks Champions League place not beyond improving Arsenal

Nigel Winterburn is convinced Arsenal have finally turned the corner under Mikel Arteta and is tipping them to not only qualify for Europe, but make it into the Champions League.

Arsenal were marooned in 15th place after a 2-1 loss at Everton just before Christmas when the Gunners were an almighty 12 points adrift of the top four.

But 16 points from their last six matches, capped by Tuesday night's outstanding 3-1 win at Southampton, have seen Arsenal soar back into the European picture and former Gunners' defender Winterburn believes there is more to come.

"This has just been such a crazy season," Winterburn told freesupertips.com. "Arsenal were in such poor form for a long period of games, and suddenly, they've won five and drawn once.

"You look at the table and see every other team slipping up, and suddenly we're only five points away from the Champions League places.

"There has been a real mentality switch at the club, and rather than looking down, you’re looking up and thinking positively. Arsenal have given themselves an uphill battle with the early losses in this campaign, but it might not be beyond them to get a Champions League place."

Winterburn was a Cup-Winners' Cup winner with Arsenal, a club he graced for 13 years making almost 600 appearances and winning three league titles.

And as one of the club's greatest-ever left-backs Winterburn has nothing but praise for Kieren Tierney, who he rates as one of the very best in the Premier League.

Tierney took time to settle following his £25m switch from Celtic in August 2019. But the Scotland international was an FA Cup winner in his first season with Arsenal, is heading to the European Championship finals with his country this summer and is a "seven out of ten" player every week according to Winterburn.

"When Kieran Tierney first came to Arsenal, he was injured but now we are starting to see what he can really produce," said Winterburn. "He's one of the best left backs in the Premier League, when you consider his consistency, his crossing and the chances he creates.

"How successful he will go on to be will depend on how many games he plays, how many trophies he wins, but he's up there with the best full-backs in the Premier League. His level of performance has been great.

"You don't need anything flashy from your defenders, you need them to do their job well and be seven out of 10 every week and above, which is exactly what he does."

Winterburn is refusing to get over-excited by the addition of Real Madrid star Martin Odegaard to the Arsenal ranks, suggesting the Norwegian ace is going to have to go some to dislodge Emile Smith Rowe from the side.

The 58-year-old is thrilled with the form of Smith Rowe and some of the other Emirates' youngsters and believes Arteta is building a squad that is only going to get better and better.

"Emile has come in and had such a huge impact in a short time, so Arteta won’t want to pull him out of the team," said Winterburn. "Smith Rowe is a star of the future for Arsenal.

"Odegaard coming in increases competition for places – but Smith Rowe is the starter now. If it's a competition between him and Odegaard, then Odegaard must prove that he's better. Otherwise Smith Rowe stays in.

"It’s an exciting time at Arsenal. Players like Bukayo Saka, Joe Willock, Gabriel Martinelli could become quality Premier League players."

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