Arsenal can’t be relied on to “rise to the occasion” in an ongoing bid to tightly closed Champions League qualification, says Kevin Campbell, with Mikel Arteta’s side viewed to be too inconsistent.
There have been signs of improvement from the Gunners over current weeks, with a exchange in the dugout making the desired impact.
Having taken the decision to part with Unai Emery, former club captain Arteta has plugged a few protective leaks and made the north London giants more difficult to break down.
Premier League victories have remained in brief supply, though, whilst a disappointing exit from the Europa League has been suffered at the last-32 stage.
Failings in continental opposition imply that home action offers the solely route to tangible success for Arsenal this season.
They have stepped forward through to the quarter-finals of the FA Cup , with silverware up for grabs there, however stay tenth in the English top-flight with time running out on a possible late surge up the standings.
Campbell is not waiting for a thrilling fight to the finish, with the former Gunners striker telling AFTV: “Do you trust Arsenal? Because I’ll be honest, I don’t.
“It’s not negativity, it’s what I see.
“Let’s be honest, it’s what’s been going on for far too long. They’re no longer consistent.
“When the pressure’s on, they can’t push above to the occasion.
“I’d love to be confirmed wrong, I’d be the first one singing their praises, however I just don’t see it.
“Can they do it? Yes, they’ve got the ability. But the trust? It simply isn’t there.”
Arteta is making an attempt to continue to be upbeat in efforts to make Arsenal upwardly mobile once more, however they are eight points adrift of the top 4 at present, with only eleven games left to take in.
The first of these will be a derby date with London opponents West Ham on Saturday, with success in that contest regarded to be imperative.
Arteta has stated of the Gunners’ bid to chase down fourth place: “Beat West Ham on Saturday and we are closer, that’s all I’m questioning because a few weeks in the past it appeared impossible.
“We go game through game, that’s the only aim, start grabbing three points and we will have a threat in the closing few games of the season.”
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