Nigel Winterburn: Injury-free Arsenal can challenge Chelsea for the title

Arsenal can challenge Chelsea for the Premier League title provided the Gunners key players stay injury free next season, according to Nigel Winterburn.

The north London side are being touted as potential challengers next term following the significant arrival of Petr Cech in an £11m deal from Chelsea earlier this month.

The Gunners finished 15 points behind Jose Mourinho’s side in the Premier League, but Arsene Wenger’s side did manage to win successive FA Cup titles for the first time in their history.

Former Arsenal defender Winterburn, who was part of the double winning side in 1998, is tipping the Gunners to achieve big things this coming season.

“They’re not as far away as a lot of people think,” Play With A Legend ambassador Winterburn told The Sport Review.

“The problem that has really hampered them in recent seasons is the amount of injuries to key players for long periods of time.

“Next year will be a big, big year for them.”

Winterburn added that Wenger will require a big contribution from all the players in his Arsenal squad if the Gunners are to win their first Premier League crown since 2004.

Winterburn added: “They all need to have a big season if they’re going to challenge for the title.

“Santi Cazorla and Alexis Sanchez were brilliant but there is no good those two guys being outstanding and the rest don’t live up to their own reputations.

“They need to perform for the whole season if Arsenal are going to challenge for the title.”