Arjen Robben: Arsenal will struggle if they keep selling top players

Arjen Robben believes that Arsenal’s trophy drought is sure to continue if the Gunners continue to fail to hold onto their top players.

The north Londoners, who take on Robben’s Bayern Munich in the last 16 of the Champions League, have seen some of their top talent depart Emirates Stadium in recent seasons, including captains Robin van Persie and Cesc Fàbregas.

Arsenal have not won a trophy since their FA Cup final triumph over Manchester United back in 2005 – and Netherlands international Robben expects that drought to continue if Arsene Wenger’s side are not able to keep their top stars.

“I think you can see it,” Robben told the Sun. “It’s not my opinion, it’s also a fact. The last eight years — no trophies. That says it all. If you look around at the moment there are some teams in England that are maybe stronger than Arsenal. I cannot speak for Robin. He made his decision.

“Again, I live in Germany, I don’t live in England, so it’s very difficult for me to really judge this situation at the club.

“But if you see there are always players leaving and when they leave, at that moment, they are the most important players or the best players and, if you keep losing these players, then every time you have to try to build up again.

“Wenger has shown that he can do it. He’s a great manager, he’s shown that by improving young players, but the trophies are also important.”