The Football Insider with Mikael Silvestre: Arsenal need some Christmas magic

A lot of fans will look at the Arsenal draw this weekend and see two points dropped.

But for me this showed they are a lot more determined than people give them credit for – coming from behind against a Fulham team with a lot to prove and in typically terrible English weather at this time of year.

Recommended For You

Growing villa demand pushes Dubai residential sales to new heights in H1 2025

Mexico slams Trump threat of 30% tariffs as 'unfair deal'

SpaceX to invest $2 billion in Musk's xAI startup, WSJ reports

Dr Krishna Priya honoured with ‘Outstanding Leader in Education Impact Excellence Award’ at UAE’s Next MasterMind Awards 2025

Look: 8 Emiratis who've acted, helped promote Indian films in UAE

 

They played well and frankly should have won. This week I think the squad will be really positive as a group and see the game as a challenge they overcame with fantastic spirit.

But the acid test is this month for Arsenal. They need to battle for every point over the festive season and come the start of January we will know if they can challenge for the title or not.

The Chelsea win at Spurs was everything that is great about football with loads of goals and action.

They are a massively entertaining team but they leak too many goals for my liking and that is why I would put Arsenal as the main challengers to Liverpool this season.

Over at Old Trafford it was another bad day for Manchester United and I struggle to see how the new manager is going to make playing three at the back work.

I played in a three at Inter Milan and also for France - it is difficult to adapt to and these players have not experienced it before.

Ruben Amorim is just settling in but you have to wonder how long he can persevere with the system?

FAN QUESTION

Dubai resident Chris Green wants to know if it is true you play amateur football in Dubai?

Very briefly! I did play a little bit to keep fit and the opposition were definitely surprised when I walked out. But to be fair Nicolas Anelka was also playing at that time so as always with Dubai you never know what can happen!

ALSO READ: