Mathieu Flamini: Arsenal have the missing ingredient to win titles

Arsenal midfielder Mathieu Flamini believes that Arsenal possess the extra ingredient required to sustain their Premier League title challenge.

He told the Daily Star that the club currently has the physicality that they have been missing in previous seasons. He also lauded the team’s fighting spirit, as well as praising their new found defensive solidity.

“What you need in any Arsenal side is the fighting spirit and you can see we now have that,” said the French midfielder.

“Perhaps the physicality has been missing a bit in the past few years.

“But if you want to win leagues and cups, sometimes you have to fight for it, especially when you are playing in the hardest league in the world.”

“We have a very good offensive team but it is so important to be strong defensively as that could make the difference at the end of the season.”

“You have to go to places like Newcastle and be prepared to fight before playing your football. Only by doing that can you win.

Arsenal maintained their position at the the top of the table with a 2-0 win over Newcastle on Sunday, and Flamini spoke of the importance of reproducing such hard-fought wins.

“Picking up three points to stay at the top of the league was a fantastic feeling. The team spirit was amazing and there was so much fight”, he continued.

“Everyone fought for each other and that is what got us through. We are top of the league at half-time and we would have signed up for that at the start of the season.”

“We know this is a marathon, a long burner. We have to stay very focused and work as hard. That’s all we can do.”